Features

People experiencing emotional distress after observing a dramatic accident can seek compensation under California law. (Shutterstock)

When a bystander can make a claim in an accident

Witness who was in ‘zone of danger’ can sue for emotional distress

Nobel Prize-winning Greek poet Odysseus Elytis spoke like a Scorpio when he said, “What I love is always being born. What I love is beginning always.” (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for week of Oct. 21, 2021

Attend to transformative work, Scorpio; begin anew by getting rid of things

“We must never be afraid to go too far, for truth lies beyond,” said novelist Marcel Proust. (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for week of Oct. 14, 2021

Libra, upcoming days represent a rare time when you ought to consider breaking boundaries

In 2019, Uber and Lyft drivers demonstrated seeking better wages; their classification as independent contractors, rather than employees, remains while gig worker-companies challenge a judge’s ruling calling Proposition 22, which allowed for such classification, unconstitutional.<ins> (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)</ins>

Prop. 22 governing gig workers found unconstitutional, but in effect

Ride-hail drivers remain independent contractors pending appeal by Uber

In 2019, Uber and Lyft drivers demonstrated seeking better wages; their classification as independent contractors, rather than employees, remains while gig worker-companies challenge a judge’s ruling calling Proposition 22, which allowed for such classification, unconstitutional.<ins> (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)</ins>
Motorists involved in hit-and-run crashes may benefit from certain types of insurance that go beyond the average car insurance policy. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

Navigating insurance claims in cases of hit-and-run

Drivers may want to obtain additional coverage beyond average motorist policy

Motorists involved in hit-and-run crashes may benefit from certain types of insurance that go beyond the average car insurance policy. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
Prolific novelist Nora Roberts has said, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” (Facebook Screenshot)

Free Will Astrology for week of Oct. 7, 2021

Capricorn, if you ask bold and probing questions, you very well may get what you want

Prolific novelist Nora Roberts has said, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” (Facebook Screenshot)
Ludwig van Beethoven was known to play his music to cheer up friends who were feeling down. (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for week of Sept. 30, 2021

Sagittarius, take inspiration from the great composer to provide comfort to your allies

Ludwig van Beethoven was known to play his music to cheer up friends who were feeling down. (Shutterstock)
California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975 caps the amount of money that patients can collect for “non-economic” damages such as pain and suffering in cases of medical negligence. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

Medical malpractice cases are often long, difficult

California voters could change law to improve justice for injured patients

California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975 caps the amount of money that patients can collect for “non-economic” damages such as pain and suffering in cases of medical negligence. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
Poet and essayist Anne Carson — at the suggestion of her husband Robert Currie, whom she calls the “Randomizer” — enlivened a writing project by adding dancers to it. (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for week of Sept. 23, 2021

Gemini, boost your creativity by considering quirky recommendations

Poet and essayist Anne Carson — at the suggestion of her husband Robert Currie, whom she calls the “Randomizer” — enlivened a writing project by adding dancers to it. (Shutterstock)
A new California law would allow bicycle riders to safely yield at intersections. (Shutterstock)

New ‘Idaho Stop’ legislation encourages bicycle safety

Cyclists, advocates support common-sense Assembly Bill 122

A new California law would allow bicycle riders to safely yield at intersections. (Shutterstock)
Oscar Wilde’s classic novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” offers up various life lessons.(Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for Sept. 16, 2021

Pisces, now is the time to connect with allies who stimulate your lust for life

Oscar Wilde’s classic novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” offers up various life lessons.(Shutterstock)
Tech industry workers experiencing discrimination should document and report incidents to human resources. (Shutterstock)

You too, us too: There’s strength in numbers

Making real change in struggle against workplace bias takes courage

Tech industry workers experiencing discrimination should document and report incidents to human resources. (Shutterstock)
The First Alarm Girls Fire Camp at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department training facility in Pleasanton provides the opportunity for high schoolers to learn about firefighting hands-on. (Photo by Sean St. Cin/Courtesy NorCal Women In The Fire Service)

Firefighting has a diversity issue—and these women want to solve that

‘It’s not that women don’t want to be firefighters…it’s never seen as an option’

  • Sep 13, 2021
The First Alarm Girls Fire Camp at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department training facility in Pleasanton provides the opportunity for high schoolers to learn about firefighting hands-on. (Photo by Sean St. Cin/Courtesy NorCal Women In The Fire Service)
Roman emperor Caligula disproved a prediction by a renowned seer by managing to ride his favorite horse Incitatus from one shore to the other across a bay. (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for Sept. 9, 2021

Virgo, now is the time to focus on a curse you want to undo

Roman emperor Caligula disproved a prediction by a renowned seer by managing to ride his favorite horse Incitatus from one shore to the other across a bay. (Shutterstock)
Nursing and mental health care facilities are obligated to ensure patients and residents are protected from abuse. (Shutterstock)

Nursing home nightmare: sexual abuse in care facilities

Under state law, all residents’ safety must be protected

Nursing and mental health care facilities are obligated to ensure patients and residents are protected from abuse. (Shutterstock)
Lupine, a striking purple flower, is an invasive species n New Zealand, forcing native plants out of their habitat. (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for week of Sept. 2, 2021

Leo, take a moment to smooth out what may be a paradoxical predicament

Lupine, a striking purple flower, is an invasive species n New Zealand, forcing native plants out of their habitat. (Shutterstock)
It’s important for citizens to respond to jury summons to ensure that trials continue in a timely fashion. (Shutterstock)

Don’t toss the jury duty summons — justice can’t be served without you

Exercise your right, help maintain democracy

It’s important for citizens to respond to jury summons to ensure that trials continue in a timely fashion. (Shutterstock)
California voters are urged to exercise their rights by participating in the somewhat confusing election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>

California recall: How do I review my ballot and why is it so confusing?

By Christopher B. Dolan and Kim Levy This week’s question comes from…

California voters are urged to exercise their rights by participating in the somewhat confusing election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>
“Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup,” said writer Wendell Berry. (Shutterstock)

Free Will Astrology for week of Aug. 26, 2021

Aquarius, now is not the time to consider delicate issues that may lead to a dispute

“Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup,” said writer Wendell Berry. (Shutterstock)
<strong></strong>Silversea’s newest ship, the 596-passenger Silver Moon, is anchored near the Greek island of Patmos. <ins>(Courtesy Julie L. Kessler)</ins>

Simply over the moon for Silversea’s Silver Moon

Cruising is back – on Silversea it is conscious, careful and classy

<strong></strong>Silversea’s newest ship, the 596-passenger Silver Moon, is anchored near the Greek island of Patmos. <ins>(Courtesy Julie L. Kessler)</ins>