This is Charles James for KSRW 92.5 FM – the Eastern Sierra News
With the start of a new year in 2023, we wanted to take a few moments to
remember a legend here in our local news coverage area. On-air personality,
reporter, founder and owner of Sierra Wave, Benett Kessler, passed away eight
years ago on January 2, 2015. She had beeen battling cancer for three years.
Benett was recognized as the ardent, best-known journalist here in the Eastern
Sierra. Her loss was greatly felt by her many admirers. Both her news stories and
her opinions on local issues mattered a great deal to listeners on the radio, and
readers on the station website, sierrawave.net.
Some Sierra Wave listeners may remember that the radio station, founded in1996,
started out as “KDAY 92.5 FM”, but would eventually become “KSRW,” the Sierra
Wave.
The story behind the change was told to me by the former radio station manager,
Bill Lefever, who worked at the station with Benett for many years as the station’s
advertising executive. According to Lefever, he was visiting in Los Angeles when
he heard an L.A. radio station refer to itself as “KDAY”. Interesting, he thought. If
you know anything about radio, you know that radio call letters are a one-of-a-kind
assignment and cannot be used by any other radio station.
When Lefever returned to Bishop, he told Benett the story and they monitored the
L.A. station for several weeks. Sure enough, the call letters were repeatedly being
used. As luck would have it, the station in Los Angeles was owned by a large
communications company which owned many other radio stations. When
approached by Benett about the use of her radio station’s call letters, they made a
deal to buy the rights to them. So, KDAY radio in Bishop, Calif. would become the
Sierra Wave Radio Station usuing the call letters “KSRW”. Benett put the money
to good use, using the money to upgrade and improve the station equipment and
outreach.
I have heard so many great stories about Benett through the years from others.
And I wish I knew many more. As a journalist, I learned a great deal about doing
news from her example and her advice for several wonderful years. Listening to
Sierra Wave News and reading it on the Sierra Wave website was my” go-to”
source for timely news as it was for many others. Like many here associated with
Sierra Wave, I only wish that I had had more time with her. Rest in Peace, Benett.
You have not been forgotten.
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My father in law, the great John K Smith,former inyo county boss and I bought Bennett(Heston)all her first radio,tv equipment when she started her first gig–Bennett,John Heston lived next door to the Smiths ranch in Independence–that first gig went into bankruptcy but she was able to find new investors for another gig–she single handling took on the DWP who was trying to dry up the valley–her broadcasts shed a lot of light on the water issues –My father in law fought many cases against the DWP in court–with Benntt’s relentless broadcasts the tide turned against the DWP and they finally submitted to the migitgation projects
My first live shift on the air at KNYO radio with Bennett and Marilyn as reporters, was January 18, 1981. By the mid-80’s we were on ICTV channel 12 in Bishop. John, Benett, Marilyn and I put video on KABC7, ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America and stills in the LA Times and Inyo Register. I had the privilege of working with and for Bennett over a span of thirty plus years. Rest in Peace my friend. You are missed!
Benette was single handedly responsible for righting a lot of the wrongs that were happening in the Owens Valley while she was here . She was instrumental in letting the public know about subjects that would have otherwise been swept under the rug. In my opinion , one of her best accomplishments was bringing attention to the problems associated with the Mono Sheriff’s Dept. , where the attention resulted in a total makeover , and a very positive change in the leadership and overall policies of MCSD . Congrats , Benette…you did the folks of Mono County (and it’s visitors) a HUGE service
I agree with your point Rick but, with respect, for the record:
Changes came about in the Mono County Sheriff’s Department – most notably the election of Ingrid Braun to succeed Ralph Obenberger as Sheriff – in large part because a good, honest, and courageous man – Youseff Boulaalam – stood up for his Constitutional rights and successfully challenged his unlawful stop, search, arrest, and later prosecution by the Mono County Sheriff and the Mono County District Attorney.
It was Benett’s reporting on that case and on the Mono Sheriff Department’s unlawful practice of stopping and searching Burners that helped force Mr. Obenberger out of office and brought about Sheriff Braun’s election and her reforms to that Department.
Benett is one of my heroes; and as the good and professional reporter she was, I think she would want the record to be clear about what happened and that credit be given not just to her, but also to Mr. Boulaalam for his contribution to causing the reforms you mention.
Thank you.
Benette was an awesome person and reporter. Can’t believe it’s already been 7 years.
RIP
I used to run into her at Manor Market. What a nice lady.
Our world could use more Benetts. I miss Bob too. I hope they’re both broadcasting somewhere nice.
Hear, Hear! Charles, thank you for the memories. I only recently came across Sierra Wave, in 2010, when I purchased a USFS cabin and began spending longer periods in Mammoth. I lived next door to Digger, who had fond memories of Bennett. Never got to meet her, but definitely enjoyed her reporting.
Benett was the only investigative reporter the Eastern Sierra has ever seen. She was fearless when it came to reporting the truth. Many times I sat in her office with her and saw her go full speed ahead on a hot story. There was no one like her.
Sadly, there is no one to fill her shoes.