COVID Protest; Blue Bell

The Banner-Press

• A federal court in Austin sentenced Blue Bell Creameries L.P. to pay $17.25 million in criminal penalties for shipments of contaminated products linked to a 2015 listeriosis outbreak. The amount is the largest-ever criminal penalty following a conviction in a food safety case. The U.S. Justice Department announced on Sept. 17. Blue Bell pleaded guilty earlier this year in May to two misdemeanor counts of distributing adulterated ice cream products.

The Colorado County Citizen

The “Freedom From the Pandemic” rally on Sept. 19 drew a sizeable crowd that covered the West side of the Colorado County courthouse grounds. The outdoor event, sponsored by The Barn Builders of Colorado County, had several speakers focused on the use of hydroxychloroquine to help fight the COVID-19 virus. Hydroxychloroquine has been used in medical settings to treat arthritis and to prevent malaria. The event featured speakers Dr. Stella Immanuel, Dr. Richard Urso, and State Rep. Ben Leman. Amidst a sea of attendees not wearing masks was a backdrop of masked, peaceful protestors. The protestors carried signs and made their presence known when a speaker made a comment that they disagreed with. Protesters in attendance said they were there to protest “false and medically irresponsible information being given about COVID-19 and its treatments by the speakers.