GREAT BEND

Suspect admits killing 19-year-old

A Lyons man pleaded guilty Friday to strangling and shooting a 19-year-old woman who went missing nearly two weeks ago.

Damian C. Thompson, 25, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after telling authorities the whereabouts of Mikiala Martinez’s body.

Authorities dropped capital murder charges against Thompson as part of the plea agreement.

Martinez disappeared Feb. 21. Her boyfriend, Darren R. Wornkey, 24, was found shot in his vehicle outside her home.

Thompson and his cousin, Sidney J. Gleason, 24, were charged last week in Martinez and Wornkey’s deaths.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Agency won’t turn refuge over to state

Federal officials on Friday backed off the idea of turning the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge over to the state of Kansas, one day after saying the idea was under consideration.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a statement late Friday saying Kirwin will remain in the national refuge system, for now, and is not being considered for transfer to the state.

Conservation advocates and a watchdog group criticized taking Kirwin out of the national wildlife refuge system.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

TV station considers staying in city limits

KMBC-TV could soon be leaving downtown for a new broadcasting center in south Kansas City.

As part of an incentive plan the City Council is considering, the station would move to a city-owned facility that would be financed with city-issued revenue bonds and leased to the station. The new facility will give the station more room for parking and a helicopter landing pad.

Wayne Godsey, KMBC’s president and general manager, said other area cities tried to lure the station away from Kansas City. But he said “we thought it would be appropriate to try to stay here.”