Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A 27-year-old Bonneville County man, Jose Luis Silvas, was arrested yesterday morning, November 20, 2025, and is facing a Felony Rape charge after being allegedly caught in the act of having sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies responded rapidly to a Rape in progress report at a home along 3750 E. shortly after 6:00 a.m. The original caller, who reported the incident, informed deputies they had walked into a bedroom and witnessed Silvas in the act with the minor.

While investigators learned the girl had allegedly consented to the sexual contact, due to her age (16), the contact falls under Idaho’s statutory definition of rape.

Silvas was taken into custody on the scene and subsequently transported to the Bonneville County Jail, where he was booked on the Felony Rape charge.

BCSO says Detectives are continuing to investigate the case, and no further information is available at this time.

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News Team

BURLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — Benjamin Naylor, 56, of Burley, was back in court Thursday, Nov. 20, where his attorneys indicated they are pursuing a plea agreement deal.

Naylor is charged with murdering Kelly and Donna Jenks in their home in Burley, along with Angelica Medina and Dennis Mix in Minidoka County, in July.

Yesterday, Naylor voluntarily waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Cassia County. The move follows months of legal and medical evaluations, including a court-ordered competency exam where he was ultimately ruled competent to stand trial, despite his family’s claims that Naylor suffers from schizophrenia.

His attorneys indicated they plan to waive the preliminary hearing in Minidoka County as well, allowing them additional time to review the proposed plea agreement before the case advances.

The case is now set to move to district court for a hearing in Cassia County on December 22. Naylor is currently charged with four counts of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon.

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Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office is issuing a public health alert regarding the dangerous and potentially fatal consequences of using Kratom (also known as Thang, Krypton, Kakuam, Ketum, and Maeng Da leaf, among others). This warning comes in response to a concerning increase in deaths across the country directly linked to the herbal substance.

Kratom-related deaths skyrocket in Bonneville County

In the last 18 months, the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office has investigated six Kratom-related deaths. A staggering four of these fatalities were determined to be solely due to acute drug toxicity of mitragynine, the primary active compound in Kratom.

“This is a wake-up call for our community,” Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez said. “To put this into perspective, Kratom is now implicated in approximately 18% of the drug overdose fatalities in our country over the last year and a half. The highest concentration of mitragynine observed in one of these fatalities was 12,000 ng/mL, which is the highest I have ever seen at nearly four times our national laboratory’s range typically associated with overdose of this substance.”

“In addition, all Kratom-related deaths occurred within a small age window, with our youngest victim being 19 years old and the oldest being 42 years old,” Sanchez said. “These aren’t isolated incidents. We are seeing a clear pattern, and my community needs to know.”

Kratom is a herbal substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. It is commonly consumed as a raw powder, in capsules, as a tea, or as a liquid extract.

Kratom’s effects are complex and unpredictable, acting as both a stimulant at low doses (causing alertness, rapid heart rate, and increased energy) and an opioid-like depressant at higher doses (leading to confusion, relaxation, and pain relief). The substance’s effect on an individual is highly variable, depending on the dose, concentration, method of ingestion, and the user’s personal medical and drug-taking history.

While Kratom is often marketed as a natural alternative for pain relief or to manage opioid withdrawal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for any medical use, and its safety and effectiveness have not been clinically determined.

The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office urges all residents to discontinue the use of Kratom. Individuals using Kratom who are struggling with addiction or pain management should seek professional medical help immediately.

“The public needs to understand that ‘natural’ does not mean ‘safe’. ‘Kratom can be deadly,'” the Coroner Shante Sanchez concluded. “Our priority is providing the facts and ensuring community safety. Help us prevent further tragedies by sharing this vital information.”

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls (KIFI) – Centerstage Theatre of Idaho Falls unveiled its latest additions of a new adult theatre education program and its holiday production of Elf The Musical.

The adult education program is designed for ages 18+ and will offer creative individuals in the community the chance to gain hands-on experience as performers. Centerstage Theatre owner Justin Debelle said that the program was created after a patron’s request to build a safe space for adults in the community to explore performing.

“Stevie Croft [Centerstage Theatre patron] expressed the need in the community for classes for adults that are designed for acting, performance audition prep,” Dabelle said. “We created this basic curriculum to help people 18 and older audition and learn basic acting skills and the foundations that they need to succeed in this.”

Led by four seasoned educators with extensive expertise in their fields, the class will be a positive, hands-on experience, guaranteed to meet students where they are and help them hone their acting, music, and audition skills to further their theater pursuits.

Educators include Les Misérables National Tour alumna Nicole Riding Stoker, theatre performers Jacob Meldrum and Lisa Carter, and Centerstage owner Justin DaBell.

The winter classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM, January 7th to February 25th. To ensure classes remain personal and interactive, there is a limit on the number of students. The cost is $200 for all eight classes. You can complete the initial registration and deposit to reserve your spot by following the registration link here.

Next Friday, November 28th, marks the opening of “Elf the Musical” at Centerstage Theatre. The show is based on the 2003 movie “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell.

It tells the story of Buddy, a human orphan raised by elves at the North Pole. After discovering that he is human, Buddy ventures to New York City to find his biological father. Along the way, he helps his father and the city rediscover the spirit of Christmas.

Elf The Musical will be playing at Centerstage Theatre from November 28th to December 20th, with limited seating remaining. At this time, owner Justin Dabelle said there is a plan to add five performances due to high ticket demand.

Center Stage Theatre is dedicated to delivering exceptional entertainment in Eastern Idaho, designed for audiences of all ages to enjoy collectively. The organization believes that live theatre provides individuals with valuable opportunities for self-discovery and fosters an appreciation for the beauty of live art.

To purchase individual tickets for Elf the Musical”, click here. To learn more about their upcoming 2026 production season and ways to get involved, visit their website www.centerstageif.com.

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Seth Ratliff

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a major change to its full-time missionary service. Effective immediately, young women who choose to serve a full-time mission may begin their service at the age of 18, provided they have completed high school or its equivalent.

The landmark announcement came from the Church’s First Presidency, the governing body of the faith, on Friday, November 21, 2025. In a news release announcing the change, the First Presidency extended their love to the youth of the church, reiterating the personal nature of the decision to serve.

“While the Lord asks every worthy, able young man as part of his priesthood responsibility to prepare for and serve a mission, we reiterate that missionary service remains an optional opportunity for young women,” the First Presidency wrote in a news release announcing the change. “We recognize that for those young women who desire to serve a full-time mission, the choice of age to begin service will not be the same for everyone.”

This policy change represents the first significant policy shift since President Dallin H. Oaks was sustained as the 18th President and Prophet of the faith last month. Furthermore, it is the first major adjustment to the missionary service ages in over a decade. The last such change took place in October 2012 when then-President Thomas S. Monson announced that young men could begin service at age 18 (instead of 19) and young women at age 19 (instead of 21).

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Max Gershon

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — On December 9, a little boy in Eastern Idaho will celebrate something his parents were once told might never happen: his first birthday. Baylor Bybee came into the world on December 9, 2024, at just 27 weeks gestation, weighing a fragile 1 pound, 11 ounces, and measuring only 13 inches long.

His mother, Saige Bybee, remembers the moment doctors delivered the terrifying news that Baylor had stopped growing in the womb and that she had developed severe preeclampsia. “I didn’t know babies could be that small,” Saige said. “It was pretty much a miracle in my mind that this tiny thing was here and living.”, Baylor’s condition took a dramatic turn. He was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal disease that is one of the leading causes of death in premature infants.

What followed were three emergency surgeries, the removal of much of his small intestine, sepsis, and days when his little body swelled to nearly double its weight from fluid.

At one point, doctors called Saige and Slayden Bybee to the NICU in the early morning hours.

“We watched his oxygen numbers for two and a half hours… up one, drop two,” Saige recalled, her voice breaking. “The doctor started asking us personal questions just to distract us. That’s when I knew how close we were to losing him.” But Baylor refused to give up.

Even swollen head-to-toe and on maximum support, he wiggled his toes and pulled out IVs. Slowly,, he stabilized.

After 191 days, more than six months in the neonatal intensive care unit, Baylor went home on June 18, still on oxygen and IV nutrition because of short-gut syndrome.

Today, at almost 20 pounds, he’s learning to sit on his own, tasting his first bites of real food, and flashing triple dimples every time he smiles.

“He chatters, he bounces, he loves Bluey,” Saige laughs. “A few days ago we took the oxygen off for three whole hours and just carried him around the house with nothing attached. It was amazing.”

As Prematurity Awareness Month draws to a close, Saige has a message for every parent sitting bedside in a NICU right now:

“It’s okay to feel how you’re feeling. Your feelings are valid. You’re a good mom — a good parent — just for being there. And miracles can still happen.”

On December 9, the Bybee family will celebrate the day their 1-pound miracle officially turns one.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho and Sage Dental come together each year to provide a smile makeover through the Second Chance program. This year’s winner was Pocatello father Matthew Rymer, who enjoyed his new smile at the reveal party today.

For years, Rymer has covered his mouth in conversations and skipped out on job opportunities and relationships because of his teeth. When he came across the Second Chance program online, he knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a fully funded dental procedure.

The process has taken about a year, and today Rymer’s dentists, oral surgeons and family and friends showed up to support the culmination of his journey.

“We went through two different sets of temporaries, and then we got my permanent finally put in and here we are now, I think I got these in July,” said Rymer. “And this is probably the best I felt in ten years. So that’s been super cool.”

Rymer’s new teeth are fully functional using new technology. They’re made of titanium and zirconium, which Dr. Mark Baker tells us is what makes them durable and sustainable for years to come.

The doctors said they were all honored to be part of Rymer’s journey and to help the community in such a meaningful way. Making over someone’s smile doesn’t just change the way they look, it changes how they feel.

“You get to know them, you get to know their families, you see them a lot, and you get to see the biggest thing as their personalities change,” said Dr. Kyle Siemen of Sage Dental. “It’s great to be part of it, great for us to give back to the community and be part of the program and be able to do that for people.” 

Rymer’s mother Janice was in attendance today and told us it means the world to have her son back to the outgoing, positive person he’s always been.

During this Thanksgiving season, Rymer has a lot to be grateful for. He can’t stop smiling these days, and feels like he can be a positive light for his three children.

“I’m beyond grateful. I can’t even start to explain it. The level of love and family you feel with these guys and the things that they’re able to do and the way they’re able to help people, it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I just want to thank all of them for everything they did for me.” 

The doctors look forward to collaborating for another Second Chance program recipient next year. If you or someone you know could benefit from the opportunity, visit the Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho website for more information.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– A recent social media post has stirred the pot at the Idaho Falls soup kitchen, but it wants the public to know everything is squared away.

“You know, we had a change of command, volunteers, board members, in a six-month period of time. Some of our record-keeping got pushed to the side or didn’t get done properly. It’s all corrected now,” said DJ Collins, Soup Kitchen Volunteer. “But with the lack of snap benefits and all that, we also were cut back on some of the food donations.” 

The soup kitchen is still in full operation. DJ says the most important thing for the soup kitchen right now is continuing to feed 150 people a day. 

She says they are currently looking for volunteers. With the government shutdown, job lay-offs, and the holiday season approaching, more people will be in need of help.

“You know, I would just encourage people this year to get out there, volunteer, be kind to other people. And if you’ve got donations. The soup kitchen is more than willing to take monetary and food. “

The soup kitchen is open 7 days a week between noon and one o’clock for lunch and is located at 301 South Boulevard. 

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Idaho Falls has a new clinic to help children 12 to 17 with their mental health.

It’s a residential facility called Headwater Behavioral Health Treatment Center.  A Thursday ribbon-cutting ceremony introduced the clinic to the community.

The CEO for the facility says this was greatly needed in our area. Reports show the suicide rate for the state of Idaho is 46% higher than the national average and 50 percent of all Idaho youth who have a depression diagnosis don’t receive treatment.

“Up until now, many, many youth have been sent out of state in order to receive these services. And for a family member who’s going through that, who has an adolescent who has a mental health diagnosis and not having access within their own community, it’s a you know, something that really needs to be there,” said Bruce Figuered, CEO of BH Social Rehab Holdings.

 The new clinic will offer individual psychiatry, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and around-the-clock nursing care.

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Ariel Jensen

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A local barrel racing star has been hospitalized after being thrown from her horse at a charity event in South Jordan, Utah. 

Anita Ellis was training a colt when she was thrown off and landed headfirst onto concrete. She was sent to the Intermountain Medical Clinic, where she was unconscious and unresponsive for three days.

Two days ago, on November 18th, she was released from the ICU. Her husband, Brandon Eliss, says Anita qualified for the National Finals Rodeo(NFR) for the first time this year. 

“Trauma, fighting through setbacks, she is a fighter, said Brandon Ellis, “She has had this dream of the NFR her whole life. She is a fighter, and if God willing, if there are miracles, she’ll be on the horse. But if that doesn’t happen this year, I know she’ll fight for it and be back next year.”

When Anita is able to talk again, they look forward to telling her story of survival.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with Anita’s road to recovery. As of November 20, the fundraiser has gathered over $4,000 in donations. For more information, click HERE.

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