Madison County

Rob Findley and Jillian Moore organize food at last year's Thanksgiving lunch at the Colbert-Benton Guest House. Organizer Flo Hix said 300 people were served in 2024.

Rob Findley and Jillian Moore organize food at last year's Thanksgiving lunch at the Colbert-Benton Guest House. Organizer Flo Hix said 300 people were served in 2024.

Colbert-Benton House to host community lunch on Thanksgiving Day

Katherine Davis
Thursday, November 20, 2025
More than 300 people came to eat Thanksgiving lunch last year at the Colbert-Benton Guest House.  This year, owner Flo Hix is hoping for 500. “The idea is about community,” she said. “Especially people who are alone at the holidays. It’s nice to have them have somebody to talk to.
Josh Cronic shows the location of the gym he plans to open next to Lexington Auto Parts in July. It will be the second location of Cronic Fitness, which is also in Madison County. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Josh Cronic shows the location of the gym he plans to open next to Lexington Auto Parts in July. It will be the second location of Cronic Fitness, which is also in Madison County. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Cronic plans to open new gym this summer

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Josh Cronic, the founder and owner of Cronic Fitness in Madison County, plans to open a gym next to Lexington Auto Parts and across from Oglethorpe County High School in July. “Oglethorpe County has never had a gym before really, same as Madison County,” Cronic said.
John Robertson-performing chemical testing at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. (Submitted Photo / The Oglethorpe Echo)

John Robertson-performing chemical testing at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. (Submitted Photo / The Oglethorpe Echo)

Volunteer environmental group wins state award

Morgan Quinn
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
The team saw its first victory when it successfully lobbied for state legislation banning the burning of creosote, a known carcinogen.
Cats fill the cages at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, but outgoing director Andrew Kitchens has helped cut the average length of stays to 30 days. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Cats fill the cages at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, but outgoing director Andrew Kitchens has helped cut the average length of stays to 30 days. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Kitchens to step down as MOAS director

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter director Andrew Kitchens said he is most proud of being able to quickly move animals through the shelter to free up space for new ones.
Estelle Lloyd

Estelle Lloyd

Obituary: Estelle Lloyd

News Staff
Thursday, November 11, 2021
  Estelle Free Lloyd, 102, passed away peacefully on Nov. 6, 2021.    Born in Madison County, Georgia on Sept. 11, 1919, Estelle was the daughter of the late Charley Eldridge Free and Minnie Lawson Free.