Benett Kessler, one of the most recognized and trusted journalists in the Eastern Sierra for a generation, has died. She was 65.
Kessler died Jan. 2 in Northern Inyo Hospital after battling cancer for more than three years, her close friend Scott Clark, a physician at the Bishop facility, said.
Kessler, the majority owner of Sierra Broadcasters, LLC in Independence, was a daily presence in Owens Valley and Mono County homes, delivering news reports and opinion pieces on television, radio, online and in print for 38 years about the most controversial issues in the region.
“Benett was the premier journalist in the Eastern Sierra,” said Bob Todd, operations manager at Sierra Wave Media, which is owned by Sierra Broadcasters. “She approached each day at work and every story with enthusiasm that we found amazing and contagious. It was an honor and privilege to work with her.”
Lone Pine environmentalist Michael Prather remembered Kessler as “an incredibly gutsy woman – she never took a step backward. All of us should feel grateful for her efforts to provide comprehensive daily coverage of our most pressing issues.”
John Heston and Benett Kessler, 1985
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Owens Valley’s largest landlord and controller of most of its land and water, became her great subject. It was one she found inexhaustible.
“I started reporting in 1976, a year of a terrible drought and heavy groundwater pumping by the DWP,” Kessler recalled in a recent interview with Louis Sahagun, a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times. “Locals became outraged — and wanted to know more.”
“Over the years, I produced so many DWP articles it’s hard to remember them all,” she added with a laugh. “But the work I’m most proud of shined a critical light on the suffering of people and the environment at the hands of bully officials and powerful vested interests.”
Friends and relatives remember Kessler as an indefatigable journalist and explorer of ideas and trends. She had a keen interest in spiritual teachings, as well as in the latest scientific breakthroughs. Her hobbies included painting and gardening. She also had a .38 Special handgun and knew how to use it.
Bob Todd and Benett Kessler, 2000
Mary Roper, president of the Owens Valley Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to monitoring the region’s land and resources, remembered Kessler as “an investigative reporter of great courage and insight. People in positions of power had good reason to worry because she asked the right questions.”
Kessler was born on Feb. 3, 1949, the same day her father, Carl Kessler, started working as a lawyer in Dayton, Ohio. As a young girl she enjoyed attending social events with her father — a superior court judge at the time — writing poems and short stories and, as she put it, “flying down the highest hill in the neighborhood on my fun, cheap bike.”
“There were sad times, too,” she recalled. “My parents divorced and my step-father committed suicide when I was 15 years old.”
Kessler was editor of the campus newspaper at Dayton’s Wilbur Wright High School, where she graduated in 1967. She attended the University of Chicago for three years, and in 1970 got married. “We split up a year later,” she said.
In 1972, Kessler and a friend hit the highway west. Her life would never be the same.
They ended up in San Diego, where Kessler rented an apartment and started taking yoga classes led by John Heston, an Owens Valley resident and student of comparative religion and the writings of Manly Palmer Hall, founder of the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles.
In 1975 Kessler moved to the hacienda-style compound that Heston designed, built and shared with his loving companion, Kenny Scruggs, on the northern edge of the Owens Valley community of Independence off of Highway 395. The shady retreat of fountains, orchards and reflecting pools was the hub of Kessler’s life for the next 39 years.
Heston, a colorful jack-of-all-trades, also had a nose for news. In 1976 he created Eastern Sierra News Service, which he operated with Kessler out of his home. Their motto: “Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
One night in the spring of 1976, someone tossed a pipe bomb at their newsroom. No one was injured in the blast. Kessler always assumed it was in response to their DWP reporting, which aired on Lone Pine radio station KINC.
Soon after, one of that radio station’s owners said that the DWP threatened to cancel their tower lease if Heston and Kessler were not let go. Their news show was cancelled on March 17, 1977.
Heston and Kessler responded with sharp-worded flyers they tacked to bulletin boards and telephone poles from Mammoth to Olancha. Their dispute with Los Angeles was chronicled by premier news outlets including the Los Angeles Times.
The same year they began publishing the Inyo County Newsletter: Heston did the writing, layout and photography; Kessler reported the news and ran the printing press and darkroom.
“Almost immediately, we were swamped with advertising,” Kessler recalled. “The ambience was electric.”
In 1982, with the backing of local investors, Heston and Kessler formed Sierra East Television, Inc., and leased cable channel 12 in Bishop to launch the Owens Valley’s first local television station.
In 1996, again with funds from local investors, Heston and Kessler obtained a federal license to establish KDAY-FM radio. Four years later, they founded a television station and the radio and TV operations had grown into Mammoth Lakes and Mono County. Those radio and television stations are now known as the Sierra Wave.
Heston, who had been a politically active presence in Owens Valley since the 1960s, died in 2007. Scruggs, a Bishop attorney and civic activist who became a voice in court for children trapped in their parents’ custody battles, died in 2012.
In a recent interview, Kessler said she hoped that her beloved hacienda and Sierra Wave Media, which includes KSRW-FM, KSRW-TV and sierrawave.net, would “remain in operation as they are.”
Kessler is survived by her mother, Carolyn Husco.
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I am a fanatic of the Owens Valley, and go up as much as I can, while back in Southern California I check everyday with the Sierra Wave Media, never met her, but reading all the articles and comments about her, I have nothing but respect for her sadness for her passing.
Thank you to Benett Kessler.
As a regular visitor to the Owens Valley each fall for more than 30 years, I have always looked forward to hearing her ‘Bureaucrat Beat’ reports on the local radio. They were truly unique – unforgettable.
Benett you were one of a kind, so true & honest so blessed to know such a good soul. Truly the Real Deal and Truth in this Community.
Namaste
Kyleanne
RIP Benett
” There’ll be two dates on your tombstone
everyone will read them..but the only thing that matters
is the little [ dash between them ]”
and you truly made it matter.
Thank You my friend
I worked with Benett and John from 1978 to 1982 when I was Sales Manager at the old KIOQ-FM. There were time when we really went head to head because we disagreed with each other but the respect I had for Benett Kessler was immeasurable. She was a passionate fighter for fairness and a staunch defender of the Owens Valley and it wonderful people.
I am crushed and saddened by this news. Rest in peace Benett. If anyone deserves it, you do.
Jon Levin
Naples, Florida
In my 4 years on the Bishop City Council, Benett was always fair and respectful towards me. I truly appreciated that, and she was always easy to speak to during interviews. Even when she wanted to push, she also knew the lines I couldn’t cross and was respectful of those. Thank you Benett, may the gates of Heaven welcome you.
Bennett, you will be sorely missed. A woman with class and what a impact you had on this land that we call home. Your seat at the front of every Town Council meeting has never been filled and fearfully may never be. You were a leader in your profession and someone that I looked forward to watch every weekday evening, to the point that I was upset at myself if not home from work on time. When asked, much of the time I enjoyed answering your questions, but some of them were extremely probing. Such a loss.
I’ll miss ya, rest in peace!
Benett was a journalist with a capital J. I cannot tell you how well-respected she was here in the world of Los Angeles journalism. You folks in the Eastern Sierra clearly know what I mean.
She entered the world of news to report, to make things clear, to shadow and expose DWP dealings and to “beat” on bureaucrats. The Eastern Sierra found its voice through John and Benett — and through their creation of Sierra Wave Media, Bob Todd and the Sierra Wave staff will continue this work.
I can think of no small town blessed with a more-vibrant, accurate, smart and feisty reporter/videoographer/editor/anchor/bureaucrat beat journalist than Benett. You were so lucky, we were so lucky, to have her.
Thank you, Bennett, for your long-time coverage and quest for understanding of the real Eastern Sierra. I always appreciated your thoughtful reporting on the wildlife, open spaces, waterways, and rural aspects of this beautiful place where we live. We were lucky to have your voice in our lives.
Benett was one of a kind. It takes a lot of willpower to run a TV and Radio station in a small community like ours. I have always been in awe of her determination to do so. How do you report the news without eventually alienating everybody in the Eastern Sierra, even advertisers? Yet she never hesitated to say something if it was true.
When I was learning the business, I went in to ask her about running a story that might be negative toward an advertiser. Again-no hesitation. Is it true? Then run it.
Benett always stuck to her principles in the news. She was also ahead of her time on the business side of the news. We were all lucky to have someone like her reporting the news here in Eastern Sierra.
I never met Benett,but felt like I knew her well….RIP…She will be missed.
Bennett’s passing creates a huge void in the Eastern Sierra that will never be filled. I enjoyed getting to know her over the past few years. I admired her journalistic integrity and efforts to keep the public informed of what was going on behind the scenes. She always tried to get it right. I will miss her gentle yet determined spirit.
Such sad news. Benett’s passing leaves a huge hole in the Owens Valley. Reading the article made me realize that she is who I would have liked to have become. She was my hero. May she rest in peace and keep watch of us, and LADWP, from above,
RIP Bennett.. A huge loss to our community. Her courage to investigate stories will surely be missed.. Prayers to all from us..
Sadness. Emptiness. Gratefulness.
Thank You Bennett for all your effort to make the world and the Eastern Sierras a Better Place. You did make a difference. Namaste Dear One !
Sad to hear. I wasn’t even aware she was ill. I always appreciated her perspective and level headed reporting.
My heart goes out to her friends, family and coworkers. May she rest in peace.
Rest in Peace Benett Kessler. Your investigative reporting has helped keep government in the Eastern Sierra honest for many years and I will miss your watchful eye.
I’m in shock. It never occurred to me that Benett wouldn’t live forever. She was the voice of truth in local news in my ear during the two decades I lived in the Owens Valley, 1969-1989.
Benett’s family and friends are in my heart now.
Benett Kessler brought a passion for the truth, uncommon journalistic class, a disarming whit, integrity, and ceaseless charm with her to work every single day. I’ve been greatly blessed to have known her as a friend and worked alongside her in the news business. Without a doubt, Bennett was the Owens Valley’s most courageous, smartest and entrepreneurial reporters this beautiful land has ever seen. She gave her all to the people, the news-gathering process, and this place she loved. Some shoes can’t be filled. Rest well, Bennett, you’ve earned it.
What sad news for Inyo county, who will carry the torch for the good people in Inyo?
We have lost a champion for the truth. Thank you Bennett for dedicating yourself to making the Eastern Sierra a better place. I will miss you.
As a visitor to the Eastern Sierra I recieved the Sierra Wave by e-mail and deeply appreciated Bennett’s reporting, I will miss her greatly. She gave me an understanding of the scene like no other source.
Bennett, Dza Devlesa!
A truly inspired person. Every project I suggested to her, she enthusiastically agreed and supported. She was a visionary and my heart is heavy at the news. My eyes are filled with tears. May good weather go with her always.
Your life of grace , dignity and purpose , Benett will guide us all into eternity. We will never forget you and the lessons shared . Rest in peace, Ms. Kessler.
Benett was a true force, completely dedicated to journalism. It was an honor to know her and to work with her in the 1980s. She and John literally built a TV station from nothing. It was wild, seat-of-our-pants journalism unlike anything I’d ever experienced in college. I never worked harder or had more fun. Rest in peace, old friend.
You weren’t too bad yourself Marilyn!!!
Good to see your name again, Marilyn. You weren’t in the spotlight, but you were a major player behind Owens Valley radio’s early reputation for quality reportage. Hope you’re well.
This is truly upsetting news. Bennett was invaluable as an investigative journalist, she was an independent spirit who could be counted on to speak up about important issues while others would remain quiet out of fear of offending those in power. Although we often had opposing views, she assisted me in my days as a social activist, letting me know how and where to get information which should be public, and telling me that if I had difficulty getting information, she would help me fight for it. I will miss her greatly! My condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
I will miss my friend Benett, an honest woman and a kind soul. My heartfelt condolences to her team at Sierra Wave. I hope the pain of Benett’s loss will soon be washed away by warm memories of time working together to tell the daily story of the people and land of Eastern Sierra.
This is such sad news. What a wonderful woman. Thank you for all of your insightful reporting, Benett.
I remember Bennett in her early days in Mammoth reporting the news with Marilyn Fischer. She came so far since then! Her impartial reporting is a great example of professional journalism, some of the only, in the Eastern Sierra! Her absence will be great! She kept DWP Iin check and accountabable. My fear is who will be such a huge advocate for the Owens Valley in her absence? RIP Bennett!
I will always be grateful for what her and kenny stood for, they were truly the Real Deal and Truth in this Community…. Im so sorry for our lose, but so grateful for knowing them as we all are. I think in life we take a bit of something from good people and was Thankful for that.
Thank You and as your looking down on us in the Eastern Sierra,
With much admiration
What a terrible loss to our community. So many things will never be the same. Thank you Benett for your beautiful message and the strength of your voice. We must all keep seeking truth in honor of your memory.
Thank you for maintaining independent media for the eastern Sierra. We are all the better for it.
Rest easy.
Thank you for such a perfect tribute…..I am thankful there are so many ways Benett is imprinted on this valley, reminding us how to carry on in her spirit.
R.I.P.
Wishing a blessed passing into the the Great Blue for a wonderful soul and champion for us all.
I cannot imagine the Sierra Wave and OV news without Bennett, an amazing woman who spoke many truths with academic and courageous prowess. She will be missed.
Bennett Kessler was an iconic presence in the Sierra. She chose to be a force for good. Her efforts will radiate out like ripples from a rock falling into water. Travel well Bennett
I will miss Benett Kessler. Condolences to her friends and family and to us all.
So very saddened about this news. I knew Benett was ill, but wasn’t aware of the extent. My heart goes out to her mother and the entire Sierra Wave staff during this terribly difficult time.
I hope that Sierra Wave Media and KSRW Radio will be able to continue on.
My thoughts and prayers are with Benett’s family, co-workers and friends everywhere. 🙁
B. Richter
A big loss to everyone on the East side. RIP, Bennett. We’ll all miss you.
How sad for all of us, and her family & friends! The Eastern Sierra has lost a great voice. I believe many did not know of her illness. Many deeply felt sympathies and condolences to those closest to her, and Sierra Wave staff.
An amazing woman and journalist! These words just don’t seem to express what an inspiration Benett was to me. I remember watching the local news as a child with Benetts and was fascinated by her beautiful long hair. In my adult life, I will always remember her as a force.
WOW!!! I had no idea she was fighting cancer! She was a true warrior if she was fighting this for this long and still watching our P’s and Q’s here on this blog. She was extremely fair and impartial here. She will be sorely missed!!! To you Bennett!
What a loss for our community. To a life well lived.
The Eastern Sierra will miss Benett Kessler. She was the only truly independent source for local news. Her devotion to uncovering the truths behind “Press Releases” from groups such as the DWP was a rarity in this day and age. It was a privilege to work with her for many years. I respected her as a person, a woman, and a colleague.
I hope her family and close friends realize what a difference she made to our local communities.
Safe passage friend!
God’s Speed Benett…you will be greatly missed. Rest peacefully.
I miss you already Benett.
You were among the few voices in Owens Valley willing to risk speaking truths about our LA overloads and weak local representation.
May new voices take courage in your legacy!
This is sad news. Thank you, Benett, for your dedication to the Eastern Sierra. You are always an inspiration.