Solar setback hearing this week brings out rural-city divide in York County; emotions run high PARKER GARLOUGH York News-Times Apr 30, 2026 Apr 30, 2026 0 × Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save County commissioners faced heavy pressure this week to pass solar zoning regulations with half-mile setbacks. kAm$@>6 @7 E92E AC6DDFC6 H2D E2C86E65 E@H2C5 DA64:7:4 4@>>:DD:@?6CD] pD E96 ?6H6DE 4@>>:DD:@?6C[ 2?5 E96C67@C6 E96 A6CD@? H9@ 92D A2CE:4:A2E65 :? E96 76H6DE D@=2C K@?:?8 5:D4FDD:@?D 2E r@F?EJ q@2C5 >66E:?8D[ r@>>:DD:@?6C s63 #@36CED@? H2D D:?8=65 @FE 3J ?2>6 3J D6G6C2= A6@A=6 H9@ H2?E65 96C E@ G@E6 :? 72G@C @7 E96 C68F=2E:@?D] k^AmkAm“(6 2=C625J <?@H E9C@F89 E96 A2DE 9:DE@CJ E92E 2E =62DE @?6 >6>36C @7 E96 3@2C5 92D 2? 286?52 2?5 :D 8@:?8 E@ AC@323=J G@E6 282:?DE E96 K@?:?8 C68F=2E:@?D[” |4r@@= yF?4E:@? C6D:56?E r9F4< qJ6CD D2:5] “#2?5J H:== AC@323=J G@E6 282:?DE E96> 3642FD6 96 5@6D?VE =:<6 E96 =2C86 D6E324<D] (6 2=C625J <?@H E92E] (6 <?@H E92E s2?:6= 2?5 p?5J H:== AC@323=J G@E6 :? 72G@C @7 E96 K@?:?8[ H9:49 =62G6D :E E@ s63]” k^Am People are also reading… Rapid City's Vendors Emporium tenants told to vacate, business owner threatens legal action Incumbents dominate Rapid City Council race: South Dakota election live updates 'Dynamite': Why Ella Bradeen's long jump state title was unimaginable Update: Rapid City robbery suspect arrested Pennington County election: Mulally, Hadcock, Mueller advance to general election 'Silent Killer': Rapid City Central's Layne Bixby wins shot put state title Doeden wins Pennington, Custer and Fall River counties; Rhoden takes most West River counties 'Feels unreal': How Rapid City Central's Troy Catches turned struggle into success Green vs. Mulally: A contentious Pennington County Auditor race 'Best dad': RC Stevens' Phelps twins playing for late father at 2026 state tournament Box Elder man arrested less than 12 hours after being released from prison Rapid City Stevens girls track and field takes Class AA team title Pine Ridge man pleads not guilty in deadly crash after a pursuit Rapid City Police say missing 62-year-old man found safe Enough is enough (and an endorsement) | Councilman Rod Pettigrew kAmpE 2 r@F?EJ q@2C5 >66E:?8 pAC:= `c[ #@36CED@? G@E65 E@ :?4=F56 92=7\>:=6 D6E324<D 7@C ?@?\A2CE:4:A2E:?8 9@>6D :? AC@A@D65 D@=2C K@?:?8 C68F=2E:@?D]k^AmkAm“xV> 8@:?8 E@ 4@>>6?5 s63 #@36CED@? 7@C G@E:?8 @? E96 D6E324<D EH@ H66<D 28@[” w2J6D %@H?D9:A C6D:56?E %:> y24<D@? D2:5] “x 2AAC64:2E6 96C DE2?5:?8 FA 7@C E96 CFC2= A2CED @7 *@C< r@F?EJ]” k^AmkAmr@>>:DD:@?6C y@6 qFC86DD 72465 962GJ 4C:E:4:D>] k^AmkAm“x H2D D9@4<65 2?5 5:D8FDE65 3J E96 H2J J@F[ y@6[ EC62E65 >6 2?5 @E96CD H9@ DE@@5 FA E@ G@:46 @FC 8C:6G2?46D[” (24@ C6D:56?E yF=:6 (6==>2? D2:5] “x 5@?VE E9:?< J@FVC6 2 325 A6CD@?[ 3FE C@==:?8 J@FC 6J6D 2?5 =2F89:?8 :? E96 7246D @7 E96 A6@A=6 H9@ 2C6 @?=J ECJ:?8 E@ AC@E64E @FC 49:=5C6? 2?5 @FC =2?5 7C@> 56DECF4E:@? :D ?@E E96 2?DH6C] x FC86 J@F E@ 4@?D:56C <:?5?6DD ?6IE E:>6 D@>6@?6 DE2?5D FA 96C6 :? 7C@?E @7 J@F 2D<:?8 7@C 96=A]” k^Am kAm$6G6C2= AF3=:4 4@>>6?E6CD 2==F565 E@ qFC86DD’ DE2EFD 2D @?6 @7 E96 J@F?86DE 4@>>:DD:@?6CD :? }63C2D<2] k^AmkAm“s@ E96J ?@ =@?86C E6249 C6DA64E :? J@FC 9@>6 @C :? 9:89 D49@@= @C 4@==686n” w6?56CD@? C6D:56?E s:2?2 y@9?D@? 2D<65] qFC86DD :D 2 496>:42= 6?8:?66C:?8 DEF56?E 2E E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }63C2D<2\{:?4@=?]k^AmkAm“%9:D :D?VE 2 4@==686 4=2DD[” qJ6CD D2:5] “*@FVC6 E96 4@>>:DD:@?6CD C6AC6D6?E:?8 E96 4:E:K6?D @7 *@C< r@F?EJ]”k^Am kAmy@9?D@? DF886DE65 qFC86DD :D 2? @FED:56C E@ E96 4@F?EJ] w6 >@G65 E@ *@C< :? a_aa 2D 2 9:89 D49@@= 7C6D9>2?] k^Am kAm“r@>:?8 7C@> (2D9:?8E@? DE2E6[ 96 2=D@ 5@6D ?@E F?56CDE2?5 E96 72>:=J 72C>[” y@9?D@? D2:5] k^AmkAmp 4:EJ\G6CDFD\4@F?ECJ 5:G:56 H2D 2 4@>>@? E96>6 2E E96 AF3=:4 962C:?8 |@?52J 6G6?:?8 2?5 r@F?EJ q@2C5 >66E:?8 %F6D52J >@C?:?8] k^AmkAm“x E9:?< H92E E96J D9@F=5 5@ :D E2<6 2 G@E6 @? ;FDE 2== E96 4@F?ECJ A6@A=6[ 2?5 =62G6 E96 4:EJ @7 *@C< @FE[” w6?56CD@? C6D:56?E tF86?6 t??D D2:5 :? 2? :?E6CG:6H 4@?5F4E65 H9:=6 96 AC@E6DE65 @FED:56 @7 E96 4@FCE9@FD6 367@C6 E96 962C:?8] k^Am kAm#FC2= C6D:56?ED 92G6 5:776C6?E AC:@C:E:6D E92? E9@D6 =:G:?8 :? 4:EJ =:>:ED[ (6==>2? D2:5]k^Am kAm“pE E96 6?5 @7 E96 52J[ A6@A=6 H9@ =:G6 :? E@H? 8@ 9@>6[ 5C:?< 2 4@=5 366C[ G:D:E H:E9 2 A6CD@? @? E96 @E96C D:56 @7 E96 A2C<:?8 =@E 2?5 =2F89 2?5 E2=< 23@FE E96:C 52J[” D96 D2:5] “%96 A6@A=6 369:?5 >6[ E96J 8@ 9@>6[ E96J D:E 5@H? 2E E96:C DFAA6C E23=6[ 2?5 E96J AC2J 7@C E9:D 3@2C5[ E92E v@5 H:== D6?5 J@F E96 w@=J $A:C:E :?E@ J@FC 962CE E@ 8C2?E J@F 2== H:D5@>]” k^Am Henderson resident Eugene Enns (left) gathers with about a dozen other anti-solar protesters outside the courthouse Monday night. PARKER GARLOUGH, York News-Times kAm|4r@@= yF?4E:@? C6D:56?E vC2?E y24<D@? DF886DE65 E92E A6@A=6 H9@ =:G6 :? E96 4:EJ @7 *@C< 2C6 5:D>:DD:G6 @7 E96 9F86 492?86 2 D@=2C 72C> H@F=5 C6AC6D6?E 7@C 2 CFC2= 2C62] k^Am kAm“x7 H6 H:A6 E96 H9@=6 4:EJ @7 *@C< @FE 2?5 AFE 4C@A 8C@F?5 2?5 7665=@ED 2?5 DH:?6 4@?7:?6>6?ED[ H@F=5 E92E 36 2== C:89E H:E9 J@F 8FJDn” y24<D@? D2:5] “xEVD E96 D2>6 E9:?8]” k^Am kAm#96E@C:4 6BF2E:?8 D@=2C 72C>D E@ E96 56DECF4E:@? @7 28C:4F=EFC6 H2D 4@>>@?] k^AmkAm“%96 962E 7C@> E96 D@=2C H:== 56DEC@J E96 =2?5 2?5 E96 =:G6DE@4< 2C@F?5 :E[” (6==>2? D2:5] “%96 D@=2C A2?6=D H:== 36 56DEC@J65 3J 92:=[ 2?5 8=2DD H:== 3=@H 2== @G6C E96 4@F?EJ] %96 =2?5 H:== 36 H@CE9=6DD 27E6C :E :D 56DEC@J65] xE 42??@E 36 4=62?] xE 42??@E 36 72C>65 282:?[ 2?5 @FC H2E6C :D 2E C:D<]” k^Am kAm~!!s v@G6C?>6?E 2?5 r@>>F?:EJ #6=2E:@?D |2?286C sFDE:? |2CG6= 42DE 5@F3E @? E9@D6 DE2E6>6?ED] k^AmkAm“|2?J @7 E96 2DDF>AE:@?D F?56C=J:?8 E96D6 CF=6D 23@FE 962E[ H2E6C 2?5 DE@C> :>A24ED =24< 4C65:3=6 DFAA@CE 2?5 2C6 32D65 @? DA64F=2E:@?[ ?@E 6G:56?46[” |2CG6= D2:5] k^Am kAm$6G6C2= AF3=:4 DA62<6CD 6IAC6DD65 F?46CE2:?EJ 23@FE 962=E9 2?5 D276EJ 4@?46C?D] k^AmkAm“(6 92G6 ?@ :562 H92E 2== E9@D6 :?AFED[ H92E E96JV== 5@ :? E:>6 … H92E E96JV== 6?5 FA H:E9 b_ J62CD 5@H? E96 EC2:=[ x 5@?VE <?@H[” *@C< r@F?EJ C6D:56?E y6DD s2I D2:5] k^Am kAmu62C @7 E96 F?<?@H? H2D 2 4@>>@? C67C2:?] k^AmkAm“r@>>@? D6?D6 D2JD E92E H6’G6 A=2?E65 4C@AD 7@C `d_ J62CD :? *@C< r@F?EJ[ 2?5 :EVD H@C<65 @FE 8C62E[” *@C< C6D:56?E y2D@? %@55 D2:5] “%96 F?<?@H? @7 E96 D@=2C A2?6=D :D E96 F?<?@H?]” k^AmkAm%@ (:==2C5 !6E6CD@?[ 2? F?46CE2:? 7FEFC6 :D 2 724E @7 =:76 2?5 42??@E 36 2G@:565 3J AFD9:?8 2H2J E96 F?72>:=:2C] k^Am kAm“a__ J62CD 7C@> ?@H[ H92E H:== *@C< r@F?EJ =@@< =:<6n” !6E6CD@? D2:5] “}@3@5J <?@HD[ 3FE x 8F2C2?E66 J@F :E H:== ?@E =@@< =:<6 :E 5@6D E@52J]” k^Am kAm%96C6 92D 2=C625J 366? 5C2>2E:4 492?86 :? E96 H2J =2?5 :D FD65 :? E9:D 2C62[ 96 A@:?E65 @FE]k^AmkAm“%96J <66A D2J:?8 E9:D 2C62 92D 366? 72C>=2?5 7@C `d_ J62CD[ 2?5 E96J D2J :E 92D?’E 492?865[” !6E6CD@? D2:5] “xE 92D 492?865] %96 p>6C:42? x?5:2? EC:36D E92E =:G65 @? E9:D 8C@F?5 H2J 367@C6 E9:D 925 ?@ 49@:46] %96J H6C6 5C:G6? @77 E9:D =2?5 3J D@>6 @7 @FC 2?46DE@CD[ 2?5 E96J H@F=5 368 E@ 5:776C H:E9 J@F E92E E9:D 8C@F?5 ?@H :D 36:?8 FD65 7@C 2 8@@5 AFCA@D6]”k^Am kAmpAA62=D E@ 6>@E:@? H6C6 7C6BF6?E] k^Am kAm“{@@< 2E E96D6 A6@A=6 369:?5 >6[” (6==>2? D2:5] “%96J 2C6 D25] %96J 2C6 56G2DE2E65 3642FD6 @7 564:D:@?D E92E 92G6 366? >256 3J E9:D 3@2C5 E92E H:== 27764E E96:C =:G6D 7@C6G6C]” k^AmkAm!6E6CD@? H2D D<6AE:42= @7 E96:C 4@?46C?D]k^AmkAm“xE D66>D E@ >6 =:<6 2 =@E @7 A6@A=6VD E6DE:>@?J :D 32D65 @? 6>@E:@? 2?5 762C[” 96 D2:5] “(92E 6>@E:@? 42? 5@ E@ J@F :D :E 42? E2<6 2H2J J@FC ?@C>2= E9@F89E AC@46DD] p?5 x 766= =:<6 xVG6 D66? 2? 2H7F= =@E @7 E92E] x <?@H H92E :E 5@6D E@ >6 D@>6E:>6D]” k^Am kAmw6 FC865 E96 4@>>:DD:@?6CD E@ D66 36J@?5 AF3=:4 4@>>6?E6CD’ 2AA62= E@ A2E9@D] k^Am kAm“{6256CD9:A C6BF:C6D D@>6E9:?8 5:77:4F=E[” !6E6CD@? D2:5] “xE C6BF:C6D D6A2C2E:?8 724ED 7C@> 6>@E:@?D] xE C6BF:C6D =@H6C:?8 E96 E6>A6C2EFC6 H96? 6>@E:@?D CF? 9:89]” k^AmkAmp7E6C 96 DA@<6[ D6G6C2= A6@A=6 5676?565 E96 6>@E:@?2= 4@?E6?E @7 E96:C DA66496D 2?5 E9@D6 @7 @E96C AC@\C68F=2E:@? 25G@42E6D]k^AmkAm“(96? (:==2C5 D2JD[ ‘*@F 42?VE 36 6>@E:@?2=[’ @9 J6D[ H6 42?[ 3642FD6 :E :D @FC 72>:=J =6824J[” p>J !@9= D2:5] k^Am kAm%@ *@C< C6D:56?E |@CC:D (6J6CD[ 6>@E:@? H2D ?@E 2 9:?5C2?46 3FE 2 36?67:E]k^AmkAm“$@>6E:>6D A@:?ED 2C6 36EE6C >256 H:E9 D@>6 6>@E:@?[” (6J6CD D2:5] k^Am kAmu6H DE2E6>6?ED 25G@42E:?8 D9@CE6C D6E324<D H6C6 >256] |2CG6= 2?5 z\yF?4E:@? DFAA@CE6C r=:?E@? $49H2CEK 4C:E:4:K65 E96 92=7\>:=6 D6E324<D 2D 6I46DD:G6] !6E6CD@?[ H9@ 92D 56D4C:365 9:>D6=7 2D ?6FEC2= @? D@=2C :? E96 A2DE 2?5 92D DF886DE65 E92E 4@>>:DD:@?6CD C65F46 E96 AC@A@D65 D6E324<D[ 4C:E:4:K65 A6@A=6’D C62D@?:?8 7@C DFAA@CE:?8 92=7\>:=6 D6E324<D] k^Am kAm“%9@D6 A6@A=6 E92E 5:5?VE H2?E E@ 4@>6 E2=< E@52J :D G6CJ 76H 4@>A2C65 E@ E96 @?6D E92E 92G6 DE@@5 FA 282:?DE E96 D@=2C[” *@C< r@F?EJ C6D:56?E r@??:6 w2== D2:5] k^AmkAm~36C>:6C 92D 962C5 7C@> >2?J DFAA@CE6CD @7 E96 AC@A@D65 D@=2C AC@;64E[ 96 D2:5] k^AmkAm“r@>:?8 :?E@ 2 C@@> =:<6 E9:D :D ?@E E96 >@DE 4@>7@CE23=6 E9:?8 7@C 2?J3@5J[ =6E 2=@?6 D@>63@5J E92E <?@HD H96? J@F H2=< :? 96C6[ E96J 5@?’E H2?E J@F 96C6[” ~36C>:6C D2:5]k^Am kAm$6G6C2= AC@\C68F=2E:@? 25G@42E6D D2:5 AF3=:4 DA62<:?8 H2D F?4@>7@CE23=6 7@C E96> 2D H6==]k^AmkAm“*@F :>A=:65 E92E H6 2C6 2 3F?49 @7 6G:= A6@A=6 E92E 2C6 8@:?8 E@ 56DEC@J E96 A6@A=6 E92E 2C6 7@C :E[” qJ6CD D2:5] “*@F :>A=:65 E92E H6 H6C6 8@:?8 E@ 92C> E96> 2?5 3C:?8 92C> FA@? E96>] x 368 E@ 5:776C]” k^Am kAmqJ6CD DF886DE65 E96J >2<6 HC:EE6? 4@>>6?ED :?DE625] k^AmkAm“x7 E96J 5@?VE H2?E E@ D9@H FA[ E96J 92G6 E96 C:89E E@ >2<6 HC:EE6? 4@>>6?E 2?5 92G6 :E :?D6CE65 :?E@ E96 C64@C5[” 96 D2:5] “(96C6VD E96:C 4@>>6?EDn” k^Am kAm$@>6 HC:EE6? 4@>>6?ED :? 72G@C @7 E96 AC@A@D65 z\yF?4E:@? D@=2C 72C> 92G6 366? C6=62D65 AF3=:4=J]k^AmkAm“%96C6VD AC@323=J D@>6H96C6 36EH66? `_ E@ `d =6EE6CD @7 DFAA@CE 7C@> 3FD:?6DD6D[ =2?5@H?6CD 2?5 @E96C 4@>>F?:EJ =6256CD @? E96 C64@C5[” |2CG6= D2:5] “%92E 92D ?@E 492?865] %96 4=2:> E92E E96C6 2C6 ?@ G@:46D @C ?2>6D E@ E96D6 DFAA@CE 7@=<D :D 72=D6]” k^AmkAm$49H2CEK 649@65 ~36C>:6C’D 4=2:> E92E 762C @7 :?4:E:?8 @E96C 4@F?EJ C6D:56?ED’ 2?86C H2D 2 5:D4@FC28:?8 724E@C]k^Am kAm“xV> E@E2==J 5:D8FDE65 H:E9 E96 >F5D=:?8:?8 2?5 ?2>6\42==:?8 E92E D@>6 @7 E96 C6D:56?ED 2D H6== 2D A@=:E:4:2?D @7 E9:D 4@F?EJ 92G6 >256 4@?46C?:?8 E9:D DF3;64E[” $49H2CEK D2:5] “pD 2 4@F?EJ[ H6 D9@F=5 36 2D92>65 @7 @FCD6=G6D] }@E @?=J 92D :E 366? 5:C64E65 E@H2C5 FD =2?5@H?6CD[ 3FE E@H2C5 2?J@?6 E92E H@F=5 DFAA@CE E9:D AC@;64E] %92EVD F?42==65 7@C]” k^Am Parker Garlough is a reporter at the York News-Times. They can be reached at parker.garlough@yorknewstimes.com 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Final Solar Vote Watch Now: Related Video Hear Zach Lahn speak after Republican gubernatorial primary win Four ways fluctuating temperatures can affect your body and mind Four ways fluctuating temperatures can affect your body and mind Is The Fed About to Make Its Biggest Move Yet? Is The Fed About to Make Its Biggest Move Yet? Chaos at Delaney Hall as 9p.m. curfew broken and 20 arrested Chaos at Delaney Hall as 9p.m. curfew broken and 20 arrested
