Two Hickory teenagers reported missing last month have been found in Virginia. Following and extensive investigation, Hickory police located the 16-year-old missing girls in Staunton. Reports state Tiffany Elizabeth McKee and Seiara Nichole Matthews were found by officers at the home of an unnamed individual. A news release indicates the girls met the individual through Craigslist. McKee and Matthews were not physically harmed, and were returned to their homes in Hickory. The investigation is ongoing.

A new Assistant District Attorney has joined the 25th Prosecutorial District. Chadwick D. Smith was hired by District Attorney David Learner and was sworn in on Thursday. Smith spent 16 years in private practice, working in the Raleigh-Durham area for 2 years and in Mecklenburg for the last 14. Originally from Stokes County, Smith received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science with a concentration in Government and a minor in U.S.History from Campbell in 1997. He also earned his Juris Doctor from N.C.Central in 2000. Smith will be working out of the Catawba County office in Newton and handling matters in District Court.