Jeffrey Sterling, the Blue Springs man accused of shooting and killing another man in November 2008 took the stand Wednesday, telling the court that he pulled out his gun and started shooting to protect himself.

The federal indictment alleges Randy Wilson, 50, defrauded his former employer, RF Fisher, in Kansas City, Kan., of approximately $992,000.

In Eastern Jackson County, Missouri 291 at the Missouri River bridge, Route 7 and Route BB are affected.

A concrete layer testified in court Tuesday that Jeffrey Sterling, the Blue Springs man accused of shooting and killing another man in November 2008, told him by phone that he wished he would have been there.

Five of the six Mohler family members charged with sex crimes were charged with 15 additional counts of rape and sodomy on Tuesday. The five are Burrell E. Mohler Sr., Burrell E. Mohler Jr., Roland Neil Mohler, Jared Leroy Mohler and David A. Mohler.

Prayers will be offered in connection with recent sex crime allegations involving the Mohler family.

An Independence man drowned Sunday afternoon near Tunas, Mo., after he attempted to cross a creek that had overflowed because of rainfall.

The Kansas City man who was arrested in connection with the sex crimes case in Bates City has been released and no charges will be filed against him, police say.

Authorities are searching for another suspect involved in the Lafayette County sex case that has gained national attention.