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
- 123 South Main Glass Ordering Issue Resolved — Installation This Summer
- School Construction On Schedule — Building Occupied End of April 2027
- Bollman Park Softball Field Fencing Expected by Mid-August
- Montpelier July 4th Celebration a Success — Historical Society Launching Time Capsule
- Montpelier Lawsuit in Discovery Phase — No Trial Date Set
- Montpelier Street Repaving Complete and Striped
- Trail Development on the Horizon — Montpelier Eyeing $400,000 State Grant in 2027
- Montpelier PACER Grants — 11 Awarded Totaling $149,000, $90,000 Still Available
- Montpelier RDC Votes to Contact Army Corps of Engineers About River Cleanup
- Montpelier: Baldwin Park Playground Going Out for Bid — Pavilion Plans Awaiting Approval
- RBDG Grant Application Submitted — $99,000 for Montpelier Downtown Buildings
- Wind and Solar Projects Bring $1.7 Billion Investment — EDPR Eyes Montpelier Facility
- Montpelier Jamboree Set for Labor Day Weekend — Collin Raye Headlining, Beer Sales Approved
- Youth Leadership Academy Pitched to Montpelier — $25,000 Annual Program for County Students
- Montpelier: Henderson Street Voluntary Annexation — Public Hearing Set Before August Meeting
- Dunkirk Council Approves $428,838 in Accounts Payable
- Dunkirk Fire Pumper Repair Underway After 90 Days Out of Service — City Admits No Prior Truck Maintenance
- Dunkirk Hires New Police Officer and Streets Employee
- Dunkirk Pickleball Court Complete, Lights Coming in July
- Dunkirk Approves $2,306.52 for Water Department Tractor Repairs
- Dunkirk Eyes $6,000 Ordinance Book Update
- Dunkirk Community Garage Sale Set for July 23–25, Fees Waived
- New Pool Acid Tank Cutting Dunkirk Chlorine Costs by Half
- Dunkirk Approves $7,976.78 for Chlorine Room Repairs
- Dunkirk Well Pump #4 Rebuilt and Back in Service
- Dunkirk Water Tower Out of Service for Two Weeks Starting July 15
- Dunkirk Shifts from Buffer Zone to $80,000 Comprehensive Plan
- Worker killed in reported crane collapse at Blackford County wind turbine construction site
- Hartford City Redevelopment Commission Reports $1.08 Million in Combined Fund Balances
- Newberry Building Elevator Repaired, HVAC Work Ongoing