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
- Lake Mohee Dam Financing Moves Forward with County Council
- Mislabeled Ditch Maps Costing County Thousands in Unnecessary Permits and Road Work
- Fiber Optic Cable Hit During Ditch Work After 811 Locate System Fails
- Drainage Board Eyes Major Overhaul of County Assessments, Explores AI Technology
- Hartford City Employee Receives CDL Pay Increase
- Hartford City Awards CSO Project to Cobalt, Pre-Construction Meeting Friday
- Hartford City Police Add Real-Time Officer Tracking to Body and Car Cameras
- Hartford City Board Denies Intermittent Sick Leave Request, Citing Handbook Rules
- Blackford County Youth Leadership Academy Raises $5,000, Seeks Additional Funding
- Blackford County Broadband Project Launches — Mainstream Fiber Networks Installing Infrastructure at County Tower Sites
- Blackford County 3.1-Mile Trail Extension Going to Bid, Construction Starting
- Blackford County Courthouse HVAC Systems Failing; $4,500-per-Month Maintenance Contract Under Review
- Hartford City Faces Major Road Closures in 2027 From Two INDOT Projects
- Teays River Economic Development Agreement Tabled by Blackford County Commissioners
- Blackford County Commissioners Approve Contracts for Three Energy Projects
- Blackford County Commissioners Vote to End Zoom Livestreaming
- Six Days Until Anthem Drops Meridian — No Deal in Sight
- State Board of Finance to Vote on Gas Tax Reimbursement Monday
- One Cyclosporiasis Case Confirmed in Blackford County
- Blackford Ledger's Election Hub Is Back Online
- Smithsonian Exhibit on Democracy Coming to Upland Historic Society This Fall
- Air Quality Action Day Extended Through July 17 for Northeast Indiana
- Montpelier Renovates Park Across from Library, Removes Old Fountain
- Montpelier Employee Working Toward Mosquito Spraying License
- Creek Run Water Tap Arrives After Back Order — Installation Pending
- Montpelier Fire Department Awaits OCRA Grant Decision in August
- Montpelier Residents Complain About Trash Cans Left on Streets — Council to Discuss
- Montpelier Launches Backflow Prevention Program for Businesses
- Main Lift Station VFD Ready for Install — Scheduling Delayed
- Tornado Siren Parts Obtained — Repair Awaiting Scheduling