Magistrate delays abatement until Aug. 1 for hospice-affiliated resident at Diablo Hill Road; volunteers helping with cleanup

Thelma Christine O'Bannon, who appeared by phone during Bay County's June 19 magistrate hearing, told the court she is a hospice patient and cannot easily travel to court or move belongings. Tim Justice of Bay County code enforcement summarized multiple violations at 13410 Diablo Hill Road — including an unsafe mobile home, derelict vehicles, junk, trash and unpermitted accessories — and recited prior orders and posted notices.

O'Bannon explained she has been trying to keep taxes current and that neighbors or family members have not completed title transfers after prior owners died. Community volunteers, including a neighbor named Becky, told the magistrate they have been clearing heavy items and assisting with cleanup.

Magistrate Tiffany Serna accepted code enforcement's recommendations for abatement and fines but added a restriction: no county-contracted abatement work that would displace O'Bannon from the property may occur before August 1. The magistrate also recommended that O'Bannon's hospice case manager coordinate with inspector Scott Thorpe so county staff know the resident's needs and can accommodate a transition plan where possible.

Volunteers and neighbors said they will continue to remove items and try to arrange storage for items the resident wishes to keep. The magistrate advised the resident to have her case manager call code enforcement and provided inspector contact information during the hearing.