The problem with this story is....Why is the news media covering it?
This is between Backwoods Bob, his ole lady, and the restaurant...I'm sure most of the patrons enjoy the prank...If the news never publicized it, apologies would have most likely been made and everything smoothed over...Now, they are probably going to eliminate that prank from their place and deprive all future patrons of a good laugh...
I have a feeling the offended are trying to get some money out of this whole thing...And if they contacted the news about it, the news should have rejected that story considering the potential fallout and the fact they were being used anyhow...I just don't see how a reporter can't look these people in the eye and say "That's not news!"...