This spring’s community-wide Garage Sale Saturday event in West Carrollton will be held on May 12.

A list of addresses and a city map is available here and is also posted in the Civic Center lobby.

Reminder: residents don’t need a permit for garage sale signs, but signs may not be placed in the right-of-way, typically no closer than 10 feet from the curb.

According to city regulations, residents are permitted two garage sales per year, not including the community-wide events. Residents are required to register those sales with the planning and building department. Call (937) 859-5184 for more information.

During the week of May 14-18, the service department will conduct Large-Item Trash Pick Up during residents’ regular collection days.

The city of West Carrollton staff and council are mourning the loss of Bill Covell, the city’s director of economic development for the past four years.

Covell, 63, the city’s economic development director since April 14, 2008, passed away May 2 in West Chester, Ohio. He leaves behind his wife Gay, son Jason, daughter-in-law Sybil, and grandson, Vincent.

During his tenure in West Carrollton, Covell was responsible for successfully obtaining the necessary funding for the Exit 47 construction project. He has also championed the future redevelopment along the Great Miami River including the Miami Bend Entertainment District.

Since August 2008, Covell served as the host of West Carrollton’s “Weekly Focus,” a weekly talk show that aired on the Miami Valley Communications Council government access channel 5.

Before joining the West Carrollton staff, he was the economic development administrator for the city of Centerville. His projects there included the development of the Miami Valley Hospital’s campus on Wilmington Pike and the LifeCare Hospital.  He also coordinated the “Heart of Centerville” downtown development project.

Covell served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967-68 and graduated from Kent State University in 1978.

During his career, Covell served in several public service roles including the assistant to the mayor of the city of Evendale, community development director for the city of Carlisle, government services manager for LJB, Inc., and the village administrator for Riverside.

For the past 11 years, West Carrollton’s City Beautiful Commission has hosted an annual city-wide clean-up day in mid-May.

The city’s 12th annual Community Pride Day will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, at the Civic Center, 300 E. Central Ave.

In past years, volunteers have included local Boy & Girl Scouts and students from West Carrollton High School. Members of the West Carrollton Historical Society and employees of local businesses such as Veolia Environmental Services have also regularly participated.

Volunteers work together to help spruce up the homes of local residents by pulling weeds, trimming shrubs, planting flowers, or painting for elderly or disabled residents who need extra help with outside chores.