Forrest General’s Spirit of Women is celebrating its 7th year of recognizing outstanding citizens in the Pine Belt who have taken action to make the community a healthier, safer, more inspirational place to live. Now is your chance to nominate someone for the 7th annual Spirit in Action Awards!

Winners of the 2012 Spirit in Action Awards will be honored during Spirit of Women’s 2012 Spring Event “The Spirit of Caring.” The much anticipated event, to be held on April 26 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center, will feature keynote speakers Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager.

The grass won’t grow under Don McKinnon’s feet after he retires Tuesday as executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency.

His “retirement” plans call for him to continue the same kind of work as a consultant, and also to grow an oil and gas business he owns and manages on the weekends.

“Working for the people of Jones County has been very rewarding,” McKinnon said Monday in his office at the emergency operations center on Mason Street in Laurel. “I feel very honored and privileged to serve them as I have.”