The Orange County Register is shedding yet another body: Blythe "Never Say No" Bernhard is leaving the paper on Thursday for the wilds of St. Louis, where she'll do breaking news, enterprise and watchdog stories as the Post-Dispatch medical writer.

"I am really excited and nervous. I've never worked at another paper, so I need the experience and the challenge," Bernhard tells FBLA. "I've also never experienced a real winter, so we'll see how that goes!"

Bernhard's facile mind and strong reporting skills served her well at the Reg, where she leaped from Anaheim buro intern in 2003 to medical reporter (and this fishie's replacement) in 2005. Along the way, she picked up a number of distinctions, not the least of which was being called out for her "easy smile" by the OC Weekly.

Good luck in St. Louis, Blythe. And congratulations!