FEATURE While attending Teach Elementary in San Luis Obispo, David Forrest remembers being recruited into Scouting. The local scoutmaster came to the school and “pulled all the boys out of both fifth or sixth grade classes, and said, ‘You guys want to go camping?’ And, we were like, ‘Yeah.’” Soon young Forrest was walking into […]
Scouting America remains a great way to connect youth with the outdoors
Posted inGet Outside
These products can take the stress away from bathroom breaks in the wild
GEAR HUB Answering nature’s call is a little more complicated when you have a uterus. Popping a squat in the woods isn’t for everybody, so here are some products that could be a lifesaver when you’re out on the trails. Kula Cloth Leave behind the excessive toilet paper rolls when you go camping and grab […]
Posted inGet Outside
What’s the right backpack for a long walk?
GEAR HUB I’m getting ready to take a very long walk. In October, I fly to Madrid. From Madrid, I will board a train. That train will unceremoniously take me to Astorga, where I will carry my life on my back for 250 or so miles through the Spanish countryside, through towns, and finally sink […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Health & Wellness 2026
Fatigue and achiness were the first signs that something was wrong. Initially, international triathlete Siri Lindley just thought it was her age after a lifetime of pushing her body. But doctors discovered it was acute myeloid leukemia. For our annual Health and Wellness issue, Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood talks with Lindley about her cancer journey, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Celebrate Life 5K co-founder and cancer survivor retraces steps from near-terminal diagnosis to remission
No amount of medals or trophies could stack up against 12-time international triathlon winner Siri Lindley’s greatest victory: overcoming acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The average five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with AML is 29 percent, according to WebMD. The odds doctors gave Lindley after her diagnosis six years ago were much less, she said. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Central Coast residents are getting hooked on IV treatments to boost immunity and wellness
Three for IVMedSpa SLO is located at 867 Pacific St., suite 110, in San Luis Obispo. Visit medspaslo.com or call (805) 457-3244 for more information on its treatments. IV Hydration and Beyond is located at 1512 Park St. in Paso Robles. Call (805) 769-4001 or visit ivhab.com for more information. IV Beach House is located […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria’s immigrant resolution stirs backlash from elected officials, advocacy groups
Of all the tangents Santa Maria leaders veered into while discussing a resolution to support immigrants, nostalgia for the 1950s was one of the most disheartening, an Oxnard official stated. “People need to really think more critically about romanticizing that era,” Oxnard City Council Member Gabe Teran said in a Facebook thread. Teran was referring […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc Police Department uses AI tool for non-emergency dispatch
An AI assistant is now answering calls made to the Lompoc Police Department’s business line to report non-emergencies. Police hope the technology, called Hyper, will allow dispatchers to focus on emergency situations. “It’ll help reduce the volume of calls coming directly into dispatch because there’s an enormous amount of calls that come through that aren’t […]
Posted inNews
County orders monthly audits of Sheriff’s Office overtime use
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will continue tracking overtime use at the Sheriff’s Office after a recent review showed that a few employees more than doubled their pay. “The current system really rewards overspending,” 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said during the Feb. 10 board hearing. According to county staff, during the fiscal […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: February 12, 2026
• California gubernatorial candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will visit Lompoc on March 15 for a meet-and-greet event. Free and open to the public, the program is scheduled to take place on March 15, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Lompoc Elks Lodge, located at 905 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. After the […]
Posted inNews
Vikings of Solvang holds biannual blood drive under new leadership
The price of a cup of coffee can be a real pain for someone who’s about to donate blood, Solvang local Kim Jensen explained. “Drink a lot of fluids before you come, but don’t be drinking coffee. It’s hard to find a vein when you drink too much coffee,” said Jensen, referring to caffeine’s tendency […]
Posted inOpinion
A bridge too far
It’s easy to pick apart Mayor Alice Patino’s rambling commentary at the Feb. 3 Santa Maria City Council meeting. Her comments placed blame on protesters for the violence witnessed across the country and questioned whether demonstrators in Santa Maria would be peaceful. She stood up for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, excusing the actions of […]