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
- Railroad Requests Dunkirk Paint Crossing Markers Citywide
- Dunkirk Pays $2,370 for Police Officer Physical Testing, Drafting Retention Contract
- Dunkirk City Hall Facing Multiple Maintenance Problems
- Dunkirk Water Department Dump Truck Failing — Replacement Planned for 2027
- Dunkirk Property Sale and Bowling Alley Loan Paperwork Moving Forward
- Dunkirk Pickleball Court Finished; Baby Pool Nearing Reopening
- Dunkirk Sewer Camera Work Continues — Congress Street Blockage Unresolved
- Chase Gillette Rehired as Dunkirk Assistant Street Superintendent
- Dunkirk Water Department Approves Internal Promotions
- Dunkirk Council Weighing 3% to 5% Employee Raises for Next Budget Year
- Dunkirk Fire Pumper Reaches Day 67 Out of Service — City Switching Repair Shops
- Seven Fire Hydrants Out of Service in Dunkirk — $38,000 Replacement Approved
- Dunkirk Approves $65,257 for Critical Water Pump and Well Repairs
- Dunkirk Approves $206,661 in Claims and Dockets
- Dunkirk Approves $7,500 to Explore Expanding Zoning Reach Beyond City Limits
- Dunkirk Cuts Stormwater Fee in Half — From $120 to $60 Per Year
- Dunkirk Passes New Water Maintenance Fee for Meter and Infrastructure Upkeep
- Shamrock Lakes Board Member Announces Resignation, Raising Quorum Concerns
- Shamrock Lakes Sewer Inspection Finds Pipe Sag Near Dam, No Breaks in System
- USDA Drought Disaster Deadline Approaching for Blackford County Farmers
- Shamrock Lakes Insurance Premium Rises 15.6%
- Shamrock Lakes Board Approves Shed Replacement, Waives Late Fees for Bereaved Family
- Victim Identified in Montpelier Shooting; Trial Set for February 2027
- Montpelier Sex Offender Arrested in Sting Operation at King's Park
- Court Documents Detail Three-Hour Wait Before Montpelier Shooting
- 'If you build it, will they come?' A sports complex emerges as one idea for Blackford County's energy-project money
- School Board Filing Period Closes With Two Republican Candidates for Blackford County Schools
- USDA Declares Blackford County a Disaster Area Over 2025 Drought
- The Teays River "Good Neighbor Agreement" Is Not a Payment for Inconvenience. It's a Release.
- BCS Board Approves $1.63 Million in Claims and $210,000 Fund Transfer