Indiana boy convinces mayor to put up 'turtle crossing' signs near ponds
Jack Wietbrock just wants to keep all the turtles in West Lafayette, Indiana, safe.
Along with his mom and younger brother, the 8 year old recently saved a baby turtle that was stuck crossing a road called Cherry Lane. Wietbrock's mother, Michelle, told Good Morning America there are several ponds in the area, and often turtles are hit by cars. After rescuing the turtle, Jack thought it would be a good idea to send a letter to West Lafayette's mayor, John Dennis, asking him to do something to help the town's reptile population.
Jack requested that "Turtle Crossing" signs be installed on Cherry Lane, and he even drew an illustration showing how he saved the baby turtle. Dennis thought this was an excellent idea, and there are now two turtle crossing signs up on Cherry Lane — proof that kids can enact change. "We hope it encourages people to make a difference," Michelle Wietbrock said. Catherine Garcia
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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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