Police are investigating after several new explosive devices were found in the woods in Harlan County.

The Harlan Daily Enterprise is reporting the IEDs are connected to the case of Mark Sawaf. Sawaf is the individual accused of leaving trail cams in the woods near Harlan over the summer.

This new investigation began after someone reported finding explosive materials near Sawaf’s home. Sawaf was originally arrested by the ATF in June and was accused of making the explosive devices and leaving them for innocent people to find.

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The paper is reporting that a man found a suspicious orange cooler in the woods on Horton Street last Thursday.

Police eventually opened up that cooler and found suspicious chemicals, explosive devices, and other bomb making materials.

Police Chief Mike Thomas told the Daily Enterprise that the materials are related to the Sawaf case.

Sawaf was shot and killed by a member of the Lexington Fire Department during an altercation. State troopers say Sawaf tried to flee while helping law enforcement find more explosives.

Paintsville Mayor Robert Porter has been found guilty of misappropriating property and city resources.

A federal jury in London, Ky., convicted Porter on 2 of the three counts of theft of federal funds and one count of bribery.  The jury returned the verdict after more than three hours of deliberation, following four days of trial.

One of Porter’s co-defendants, Larry Herald, the former general manager of the Paintsville Utilities Commission, previously pleaded guilty to lying to an FBI agent about his knowledge of Porter’s delinquent utility bills.

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Evidence presented at the trial established that, from 2009 until 2012, Porter, with the knowledge, approval and assistance of Herald, did not pay for utilities services provided to residences that he owned in Paintsville.  The total delinquency was in excess of $7,000.  The evidence also revealed that Porter used thousands of dollars in city and federal funds to pay for personal expenses, such as: maintenance and repairs on his personal automobiles, gasoline for personal trips, and shipping fees for personal items.  Evidence at the trial also established that Porter used a city owned vehicle, seized from a drug investigation by the Paintsville Police Department, for personal trips.

Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Howard S. Marshall, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, and Richard W. Sanders, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Taylor and Andrew Boone are prosecuting this case on behalf of the federal government.  Porter is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12.  Misappropriating federal property and bribery of a public official each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and making false statements to a federal agent carries a maximum penalty of five years.  However, any sentence following a conviction will be imposed after the Court carefully considers the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes.

Authorities in eastern Kentucky say human remains have been found in the woods near where a man went missing more than nine months ago.

Local news outlets report that officials spent most of Tuesday combing through the area where the remains were discovered. Investigators have not identified the remains and are therefore unable to say whether they belong to William “Scottie” Fannin.

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Fannin was last seen Dec. 10 near his home in the Milo community of Martin County. Police have said they suspect foul play in Fannin’s disappearance.

Kentucky State Police spokesman Steven Mounts says the investigation is still in its beginning stage, and that they’re treating the case as an unknown person until the remains are identified.

The Knott County woman involved in a crash Monday evening has died.

Troopers were called to the scene of the collision at around Monday evening on Highway 80 near the Emmalena community of Knott County, after receiving a call that a vehicle had overturned and an occupant had been ejected.

Violet Ritchie, age 41 of Fisty, was operating a Toyota pickup truck, westbound on KY 80 when her vehicle and a Ford Ranger, which was traveling west on KY 80, collided on the roadway.  She was ejected from the vehicle.

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The Ford Ranger received minor damage, and no occupants were injured.  Ritchie was initially transported to Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital for medical treatment.  She was later airlifted to Pikeville Medical Center, where she died Tuesday evening.

A passenger Ritchie’s vehicle refused treatment at the scene, and was not transported for medical assistance.

Toxicology results for both drivers of the vehicles are pending, though no criminal charges are pending at this time.

A Lexington man is in jail after court documents say he nearly hit an officer with his car.

45-year-old Craig Chowning was arrested Tuesday night. Documents say he was seen running away from a drug deal after spotting police.

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His arrest citation says he nearly hit an officer as he drove off.

He’s now charged with wanton endangerment and driving on a suspended license.

The Rockcastle County Coroner confirms that the man who was shot while breaking up a fight outside a Lexington bar has died.

21-year-old Skyler Ray was at Saddle Ridge bar back in June when a fight broke out in the parking lot. Police say Ray was shot by Leslie L. Parson as he attempted to break up the altercation. Parson is lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center on charges of assault.

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Ray was paralyzed in the incident. Friends and family joined forces to hold several fundraisers for him.

Friends described Skyler as a selfless person who never gave up and truly believed that there is good in everyone.

According to a Facebook post by a family friend, Ray had been fighting pneumonia and passed away this morning in Rockcastle County. His exact cause of death is unknown. Ray will be taken to Frankfort for an autopsy.

To help raise funds for Skyler’s medical expenses, click here.

There is no word on whether charges will upgraded against Parson.

Police in Berea have apprehended a suspect they believed is involved in an armed robbery at an area Dollar General store.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 33-year-old William J. Hacker of Richmond, Ky. for first-degree robbery.

The search started for Hacker after he allegedly robbed the Dollar General on Prince Royal Drive in Berea. Police say he entered the store and handed a note to the clerk demanding money, before showing that he had a handgun.

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After the clerk met his demands, he left the store in a small black truck that had possibly been spray-painted.

Someone matching Hacker’s description was spotted at another Dollar General store prior to the robbery being committed. At the first location, police say he stole a long sleeve camo shirt that he wore during the robbery of the second location.

Anyone with any information about Hacker’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Berea Police Department.