Local folks round these parts turned it off to eliminate Martian landings. " Not in my neighborhood, you space alien bastards" is a phrase you'll commonly hear in the area.

Could be because it was killing a lot of birds. Have you ever been under a windmill before? It's a bird killing field. If you kill a bald eagle you go to jail for 10 years, but Windmills wipe them out left and right.

If you want to save the birds, ban all cats and buildings with glass windows: https://www.statista.com/chart/15195/wind-turbines-are-not-killing-fields-for-birds/

What makes you think it's not in operation?

blades not moving during windy days was a clue to me

Blade have been in the Y position for months now. My guess is that it needs maintenance. I've heard a fluid change can cost upwards of 25k. It's also coming up being 15 years old, if not more, which is the final 25% of the average life cycle of a turbine.

Not a good clue as it typically didn't rotate on the windiest of days.

so you're saying it is in operation, but it doesn't rotate? interesting

Oh I have no idea if its operational. I can see it from where I live and have noticed it in the same position for awhile now. I'm just saying that in general turbines don't run on really windy days. They don't need strong winds to operate, but the stronger winds can cause problems for them so you'll see it off on the gustier days. As I said in another reply my thought is that they either cant get maintenance on it or can't afford it right now.

well well well... it's in motion right now (0858hr).

the turbine has been spinning non-stop for two weeks now. I hope the school is reaping the benefits