Wrightsville Beach drops plan to ban balloons at the beach

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) – Leaders of a North Carolina beach community are reconsidering banning balloons from the shore as a way to protect turtles. The board of aldermen in Wrightsville Beach voted to shoot down the ordinance.

The ban was proposed to keep the inflated materials from getting away from children and floating into the ocean. That’s where sea turtles can mistake them for food.

Wrightsville Beach leaders think a better solution would be a law fining people $250 if a balloon is released anywhere in the town.

Balloons already are outlawed on signs and not allowed at special events.

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