Sheriff Patrick Ray is warning consumers of driveway paving scam artists who typically emerge during this time of year.

Asphalt scammers travel door-to-door, offering deals on leftover asphalt from nearby projects. However, according to authorities, the quality of work is poor, the final cost is higher than the quoted price and the pavers often leave before finishing the job.

If you should be approached by a so-called contractor to pave or reseal your driveway or to do some painting or other home improvement project, always research and vet businesses thoroughly before investing in their services.

“We’re starting to get some calls here at the Sheriff’s Office where contractors are contacting homeowners seeking to do paving jobs here in the county or resealing driveways. Make sure you know who you are signing a contract with and make sure they are a credible business. You can also go to the Better Business Bureau website to see if any complaints have been filed against your contractor and if he or she has an accredited business,” said Sheriff Ray.

“Most of what we see come through are signed contracts with small print on the bottom of them that excludes some things that the homeowner thinks they are getting. That makes it a civil rather than a criminal action. If you have problems with someone who has done work for you, maybe the work was not satisfactory or they didn’t do what the contract said then you may call me at the Sheriff’s Office at 615-597-4935,” added Sheriff Ray.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has released a list of red flags that may allow consumers to identify asphalt scam artists:
Reputable asphalt contractors don’t sell their product door-to-door.

Professional asphalt contractors rarely have leftover material, as they can accurately estimate how much material is needed for a job.

Trustworthy contractors will not push consumers to hire them on the spot. Rather, they will provide a written estimate that details the work to be done and the total price. These written contracts are valid for a specified length of time.

Most reputable contractors accept checks or credit cards and don’t only take cash as payment.

If the quoted price is low, the quality of work is likely to be low as well.

Scammers often drive unmarked trucks or have out-of-state license plates. Recently, they have been purchasing local cellphone plans to appear as if they are local businesses. Briefly researching the business is likely to reveal the truth.

Scholarships and other awards will be presented to members of the Class of 2018 at DeKalb County High School during the annual Senior Awards program Monday night, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the DCHS gymnasium.

WJLE will broadcast LIVE on AM 1480, FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com

Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations will make the presentations.

Meanwhile, graduation for the DCHS Class of 2018 will be Friday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District invites the public to a workshop for the Center Hill Lake Master Plan revision from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the DeKalb County Community Complex in Smithville, Tenn. The open house is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office in Lancaster, Tenn.

The purpose of this workshop and Open House is to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed improvements to the current 1984 Master Plan. An associated draft Environmental Assessment (EA) will also be available for review and comment and have a concurrent public comment period.

Resource Manager Kevin Salvilla said that this gives the public an opportunity to review the elements that make up the master plan and provide comments. There will be no formal presentation so the interested parties can stop by any time between 6 to 8 p.m. at the workshop or any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Open House..

A link to the draft copy of the Master Plan can be viewed prior to the public events by visiting https://cdm16021.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16021coll7/id/67… and will also be available for review at the workshop and Open House.

You may also request a copy of the documents by emailing a request to CenterHillLake@usace.army.mil. Written comments and requests will be accepted at the workshop, Open House, emailed to CenterHillLake@usace.army.mil or mailed to the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office at 158 Resource Lane, Lancaster, TN 38569. All comments and requests must be received by the Resource Manager’s Office no later than Friday, June 22, 2018 to be considered.

The DeKalb County Community Complex is located at 712 South Congress Blvd, Smithville, TN 37166 and the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office is located at 158 Resource Lane, Lancaster, TN 38569.

For any questions pertaining to the public workshop or the Master Plan Revision, please call the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office at 931-858-3125.

To read more on the dam safety project, visit the Nashville District webpage at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Current-Projects/Construction/Cen…. The public can also obtain news, updates and information about Center Hill Lake on the lake’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Locations/Lakes/Center-Hill-Lake, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/centerhilllake/.

For more information about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, visit the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.