Stories by Mike Masterson

One of the herd Mike Masterson is taking the day off. A version of this column was originally published Nov. 5, 2005.Ever notice how some among us quickly become uncomfortable with others who live their lives with in... February 5, 2023

MASTERSON ONLINE: Attorney biting back Kenneth M. Phillips is a different breed of lawyer. The California-based author and attorney specializes in holding negligent dog owners legally accountable for their failure when their animal mauls, ... February 4, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: A stranger’s face As I try to resurrect something remotely close to the life I had a year ago, before that squamous cancer cell became trapped by the lymph node and began to grow beneath my left jawline, the more I rea... January 31, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Judge: Fix litter problem It took almost 13 years for a federal court to finally rule that our state's poultry growers have been contributing significantly to the pollution of eastern Oklahoma's Illinois River watershe... January 28, 2023

Our consciousness Come take a ride with me on the rambling, free-thought express this morning as I steer head-long into the most critical question behind our existence, one even the brightest minds have yet to explain:... January 27, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: At long last It's become my belief that if one keeps pounding at the gate to the Tabernacle of Truth long and hard enough, with enough determination, it finally will be answered.And those doors finally did swi... January 24, 2023

To court again It's good to see my favorite "bulldog" attorney, Joey McCutchen of Fort Smith, has remained busy during my adventures into cancer surgery.None of us citizens can have too many vigilant w... January 22, 2023

MASTERSON ONLINE: More death and mauling A 20-year-old Louisiana man was charged with negligent homicide after allowing his pet mountain lion to roam unrestrained in his Baton Rouge neighborhood until it it mauled and killed a 7-year-old gir... January 21, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: A close call Miss me yet? Thankfully I survived, valued readers, and much, since the moment they slipped the mask on my face and asked me to breathe deeply, has been a continuous blur.As I faded away, Dr. James Y.... January 17, 2023

First pitch Mike Masterson is taking the day off. A version of this column was originally published April 17, 2008.Clutching the ball against my chest with both hands, I stared down the 60½ feet between th... January 15, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: On appreciation Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column ran Dec. 31, 2013.Those who follow these opinions already understand I'm prone to lift off on a subject... January 10, 2023

Lag in the cold The recent Arctic blast across much of America sounded a wake-up call for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) in frigid temperatures, according to an essay initially published by RealClearScience.I have... January 8, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Seeking a brighter day If I made it through surgery yesterday, I'm face up this morning on what I hope is a brighter day in a recovery bed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.If I didn'... January 7, 2023

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Evil on Earth The relatively clueless among us who still need convincing evil thrives on this troubled planet need look no further than the horrendous story of a deceased boy named Blu and his tortured sister, Tayl... January 3, 2023

College first A senior at Bergman High School set a record last month by becoming the first student in the 48-year history of North Arkansas College at Harrison to earn an associate of arts degree before graduating... January 1, 2023

MASTERSON ONLINE:Thanking Benji’s savior On Christmas Eve, Jeanetta and I agreed the greatest thing we had to be thankful for this year was having our 12-pound Benji still beside her in the chair after being badly mauled in October by an unr... December 31, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Matters of respect Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column was published Dec. 18, 2010.Why do we take for granted those who truly care for us while catering to others... December 27, 2022

Me and my Beast Because one smiles ear-to-ear and rings the bell symbolizing the end of 35 grueling radiation and seven chemotherapy sessions aimed at knocking out a squamous cell tumor doesn't mean they've w... December 25, 2022

MASTERSON ONLINE: Dam will go It appears the crumbling, long-ineffective dam that forms Lake Bella Vista will finally be torn down, allowing Little Sugar Creek to return to being a free-flowing stream surrounded by recreational op... December 24, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Riding the bus Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column was published Dec. 21, 2014.The smallish blue passenger bus rolled to a stop beside Flippo's Senior Soc... December 20, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: For wedded bliss I'd forgotten how much fun a wedding and reception can be until last week when Kenda Leigh McCroskey, Jeanetta's middle of three daughters, tied the knot with Brian Cubic in front of 50 shiver... December 18, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: What is ‘beauty’? Among my favorite courses at the University of Central Arkansas in 1970 was a Philosophy 101 class with Dr. Patrick Murray, who later would leave academia to become an Episcopal priest.He was a gentle... December 17, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Sleeping prophecy Three months removed from brutal radiation and chemo treatments for a squamous cell cancer trapped by a lymph node in my neck, I had a remarkably vivid dream the other night or, perhaps, like the late... December 13, 2022

Abuse of trust? We all understand that being charged with a crime doesn't necessarily mean one is guilty. In fact, I've been deeply involved with several cases over the years where facts revealed after an inn... December 11, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Life lessons shared With Christmas around the corner, I decided today to give my grandchildren, Elizabeth, Trenton and Keirston some unsolicited advice from their grandfather who loves them.I realize it's not what th... December 10, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: The unexplained Others frequently share what they believe were signs of a mystical presence in their lives, whether it be from divine intervention or guardian angels.I understand, as I've also had several inexpli... December 6, 2022

MASTERSON ONLINE: ‘Pets’ maim and kill Those who read this space regularly know that ever since my wife Jeanetta and our little taco terrier Benji, were badly mauled by a vicious and unrestrained pit bull mix as they strolled in our Harris... December 3, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Holiday tradition Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column was published Dec. 2, 2014.Years ago, I had a relative by marriage who could be painfully honest.For instan... November 29, 2022

Shining a light Children confined to our state's 13 psychiatric residential treatment facilities endure hundreds of instances of abuse, neglect, over-medication and other forms of mistreatment that create an unsa... November 27, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Day by day Many across our state have sent messages of caring and support since my final of 35 radiation and seven chemotherapy treatments for squamous cell cancer mercifully ended on Sept. 6.I've appreciate... November 26, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Out of nowhere The mating season for white-tailed deer has rolled around again. With it come the memories of the same time of year a decade past.Back when I thought colliding with a deer during the mating season is ... November 22, 2022

In the Zone Valued readers know of my interest in sharing accounts of mysterious happenings, some of which I've labeled GodNods. Others, like the following event, are about the inexplicable events that occur ... November 20, 2022

MASTERSON ONLINE: Deserved gratitude Very near the top of my list of gratitudes this Thanksgiving is Walter Hussman Jr. and all he's brought to my life and career.We were both 26 when we first met over lunch at the Arlington Hotel in... November 19, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: An inverted U We took an afternoon not long ago to visit three relatives in their mid-80s. Two are in nursing homes while the other remains in her home where caregivers visit daily.Realizing I'm but a decade aw... November 15, 2022

A way of life Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column was published Aug. 5, 2007.I recognize my tendency to write repeatedly about the issues that seem the most ... November 13, 2022

MASTERSON ONLINE: Brought into the light The Arkansas Transparency in Government group (ArkTIGG), working in association with a member investigator, has released a report showing the 10 public school superintendents who received the largest ... November 12, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Answers in us Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column was published Sept. 29, 2013.Spending time in New Mexico has refreshed a lot of memories for this Ozarks bo... November 8, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Three steps The older I get, the more difficult I'm finding it to remember the names of those I meet. Perhaps you share that problem. I know it's cost me some embarrassment over the years. And I suspect i... November 6, 2022

MASTERSON ONLINE: Warning a federal case I've become intrigued by the civil case involving Little Rock resident Marion Andrew Humphrey Jr. who has accused Arkansas State Trooper Steven Payton of violating his civil rights by handcuffing ... November 5, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Vote or no vote? Let's say you are certain you can prove your school board broke the law when it failed to publicly vote on extending the contract and compensation for its superintendent.You send your local prosec... November 1, 2022

Benji on the case Please don't bother trying to convince me dogs don't understand what's going on within their human families, not after what happened with Benji the other evening.Our neighbor knocked on th... October 30, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Redemption behind bars In 2015, after Eric Higgins retired from a 30-year career with the Little Rock Police Department, he volunteered with an organization called The Exodus Project: Out for Life.That program provided clas... October 29, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Time flies Editor's note: Mike Masterson is taking the day off. The original version of this column was published Oct. 6, 2012.If you sometimes feel as if your life is bouncing like a gleaming pinball from t... October 25, 2022

In order to live Anyone who's lived long enough has heard about feeding tubes and the less-than-pleasant image the name conveys for many of us. It sounds anything but natural.Yet, as with so much else in life, I c... October 23, 2022

Readers speak up on dogs My advocacy for a stronger state law and municipal ordinances to hold negligent large-dog owners legally responsible for their pets who harm, maul or kill innocent people and their pets because they f... October 22, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: In the crosshairs Bulldog Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen and his law partners Stephen Napurano and Chip Sexton aimed their sights eastward to Cabot last week as they filed another Freedom of Information Act lawsuit... October 18, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Children killed Many of you likely caught the story out of Millington, Tenn., about a mother whose 2-year-old daughter and 5-month-old son were mauled and killed by two family pit bulls that also badly injured her.In... October 16, 2022

MASTERSON ONLINE: Our lives in chapters In reflecting over the past seven-plus decades, I can't help but see them as chapters in my book of life.With every change of life's seasons and move to a new environment I was constantly and ... October 15, 2022

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Drawn in As careful as we have been to avoid the worldwide army of online scammers, we can still get swept up in the moment of a bargain for a needed item that seems just too good to be true.In our case, a few... October 11, 2022

Tearful moment There hasn't been a lot that's happened in recent years to bring tears to these aging eyes.Then came an evening last week when son Brandon, of Fayetteville, and daughter Anna, of Bartlett, Ten... October 9, 2022