Grace Bentkowski

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Articles

COMMUNITY

New and established Village businesses share the inspiration behind opening their doors

By Grace Bentkowski and Eli Houser / June 4, 2022

The Village wasn’t always as lively as it is now. After the 2008 recession, many buildings sat vacant while landlords tried to find buyers. While some businesses, including Village Green Records and White Rabbit Used Books, survived 2008, the recession coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic saw some businesses move out of the Village and others move in. Jack’s Donuts and Rustic Rebels Geode and Crystal Mine are two businesses that just opened last semester, with ScreenBroidery also moving its location.

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NEWS

Be Our Guest: 1925 PubHouse takes over space in Muncie’s downtown Marriott

By Grace Bentkowski / April 8, 2022

For a variety of businesses, staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an ongoing struggle. Locations in Muncie, like 625 TapHouse, found it difficult to continue serving the community. Operating inside of the downtown hotel Courtyard by Marriott Muncie without a drive-thru window adversely impacted the establishment, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour said. 

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OPINION

S.O.S.: Save Our Storytellers

By Grace Bentkowski / March 28, 2022

We support the journalists who continue to serve a world in need of news 24/7, but what do we do to protect them? 

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NEWS

Putting the pieces together: Wordle popularity on campus

By Grace Bentkowski / March 27, 2022

The online puzzle, Wordle, has been catching the attention of its players one letter at a time.

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WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

The Female Finesse: How expressive Muncie businesswomen are empowering the next wave

By Grace Bentkowski / March 17, 2022

The first time Women In Business Unlimited (WIBU) President and Open Door Health Services Director of Community Engagement Dorica Watson attended one of the organization’s luncheons 12 years ago, she was greeted by colorful hair and artificial fish heels. What she learned that day is that anything can mean business.

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NEWS

University lifts campus-wide mask mandate

By Grace Bentkowski / March 3, 2022

In an email sent out Wednesday by President Geoffrey Mearns, Ball State University's mask mandate will no longer be in effect beginning this Friday.

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NEWS

Jury convicts Shane Shumate of attempted murder of Sheriff's Deputy

By Grace Bentkowski / March 1, 2022

According to the press release, the evidence at trial demonstrated that on the evening of January 30, 2018, Shumate battered his then wife and prevented her from calling the police.

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NEWS

BSUDM raises for Riley Children's Hospital with in-person marathon

By Grace Bentkowski / February 17, 2022

For marathon relations committee member Bella Watts, this year's marathon revival "surpassed expectations" regarding turn out and money raised. 

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

How filling in for shows at Ball State shaped actor and alumnus E.M. Davis' career

By Grace Bentkowski / January 13, 2022

Chicago-based actor E.M. Davis remembers entering their freshman year at Ball State as a “wannabe actor.” Davis wanted to major in acting in college, but they had some discouraging conversations about becoming an actor with previous high school teachers and family members.

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NEWS

Increase in young patients getting vaccinated in Muncie

By Grace Bentkowski / November 18, 2021

"We knew initially there were some families that knew right away that they would want to come and get their kids that vaccine,” Reed said. “There are some that will probably want to get it, but don't want to be the first in line. Then, there's probably another group that has no interest at all."