90-Year-Old Woman's Home Demolished by Contractor in Tolar, Texas

Devastating Demolition

• 🏠 A 90-year-old woman in Tolar, Texas, has lost her home and all her belongings after a contractor she hired for repairs demolished the entire structure.
• 💔 The woman, Joanne Ratliff, described the scene as looking like a tornado hit, with only rubble remaining.

City Concerns and Contractor's Actions

• ⚠️ City leaders had previously deemed Ratliff's trailer unsafe and structurally unsound due to issues with feral cats, giving her 90 days to bring it up to code or tear it down.
• 🚫 Ratliff claims the contractor demolished the trailer without her permission and before repairs could be made.
• 📄 City records indicate the contracting company, Martin Millwork Works, lacked a valid demolition permit, possessing only an incomplete application.

Contractor's Defense and Victim's Plight

• 🤝 An attorney for the contractor stated the intention was to build her a new house for free, claiming the city verbally approved the permit.
• 😥 Ratliff, now homeless and awaiting her 91st birthday, is being temporarily housed by friends.
• 💪 Despite her devastating loss, Ratliff expresses a strong will to persevere, stating, "You got to stay up... keep on trucking."