LIVINGSTON, TX – Residents of Polk County are on high alert after self-proclaimed “crazy cat lady” Mildred Jenkins reported a sighting of a black panther roaming the outskirts of Livingston. Jenkins, known for her extensive collection of ceramic figurines and constant feeding of neighborhood strays, insists she saw the elusive big cat while taking her morning walk near Lake Livingston.

“It was big and black and definitely not a regular old tabby,” Jenkins recounted, clutching her threadbare shawl. “I knew right away it was a black panther, no doubt about it.”

Local authorities have received multiple reports of the mysterious creature but remain skeptical of Jenkins’ claims. Sheriff Bill Thompson expressed doubts, stating, “We’re pretty sure Mildred just saw Mr. Jacobs’ oversized Maine Coon cat again. That thing is a monster and easily mistaken for a jungle cat from a distance.”

Despite the skepticism, speculation among residents is running wild. Some believe the black panther is a harbinger of doom, while others see it as a sign of impending prosperity for the area. The Polk County Pagan Market, an annual event celebrating all things mystical and magical, has even added a black panther-themed booth to capitalize on the frenzy.

In the midst of the black panther hysteria, another crisis is brewing in the community: reports of “nasty” public water. Locals have been complaining about cloudy tap water, leading to wild rumors of everything from government conspiracies to alien contamination.

As the town anxiously awaits answers about both the water quality and the mysterious black panther, Jenkins remains convinced of her sighting. “I’ve seen a lot of things in my day, and that black panther is definitely real,” she insisted before shuffling back to her house, where a dozen feline companions awaited her return.