Derek Wheeler
Editor
Derek founded The Blackford Ledger to cover the local government business that too often goes unreported in Blackford County. He spent his career in marketing and public relations, holding leadership and strategy roles before turning that experience toward accountability journalism. He holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA. Derek lives in Blackford County with his wife and their four children. His reporting starts from a simple standard: lead with the documents, show the facts, and let readers draw their own conclusions.
Articles by Derek Wheeler
- Blackford County Wind Farm Fatality Draws International Industry Scrutiny
- Sheriff's Office Defends Flock Camera Use as Courts and Congress Weigh License Plate Privacy
- Dunkirk Council Approves Tournament Sponsorship, Routine Warrants, and Water Adjustment
- Indiana Cyclosporiasis Cases Jump to 820, Blackford County Holds at 1
- Dunkirk Council Gives Final Approval for $7,615 Pool Pump
- Council Member Flags Poor Road Conditions from Utility Cuts in Dunkirk
- Dunkirk Board of Works Approves Ditch Excavation, Vehicle Repair; Water Tower Painting Under Way
- Dunkirk City Building Getting New Windows, Canopy, and Exterior Upgrades
- HEA 1001 Could Shift Dunkirk's Public Safety Funding to County Control
- State Law Changes How Dunkirk Pays Volunteer Firefighters
- Dunkirk Defers Water and Sewer Rate Increases, Plans Comprehensive Rate Study
- Dunkirk Council Approves 3% Raise for All City Employees, Certification Bonus, and Holds Lifeguard Pay Steady
- Anthem-Meridian Medicaid Split Takes Effect July 25 With No Deal Reached
- Blackford County Unemployment Rate Rises 0.4 Percentage Points
- CDC Expands Cyclosporiasis Outbreak to 9 States; Indiana Holds at 684 Cases
- Dunkirk Park Board Approves $7,600 Pool Pump, Closes Blue Slide for Season
- Dunkirk RDC Authorizes Application for $1 Million State Housing Loan
- Dunkirk Formally Creates TIF District After Unanimous Vote
- Blackford County School Board Approves $3.2 Million in Claims and $148,500 Fund Transfer
- Blackford County Schools Faces $65,000-$80,000 Bill to Remove 32-Year-Old Underground Diesel Tank
- Blackford County Schools Renews Mental Health Partnership With Bowen Health
- New Homestead Credit Costs Blackford County Schools an Estimated $207,000; Board Approves Fund Transfer
- Blackford County Schools Hires New Assistant Principal, Faces JROTC Vacancy With School Starting August 5
- Youth Leadership Academy Pitched to Blackford County School Board; Members Want More Details
- Blackford County Schools Auditorium Construction on Schedule; Parking Lot Paving May Be Delayed
- Two local projects receive $343,000 in Lilly-funded grants
- The Prairie Creek Phase 2 EDA changes over 30 provisions of Blackford County's wind energy ordinance
- A Youth Leadership Academy for Blackford County
- Blackford Wind Fiber Installation Plan Confirmed Approved
- Two Mile Ditch Repair Turns Barren Field Productive, Eases Road Flooding