LIVINGSTON, TX – In a shocking turn of events, Polk County resident and self-proclaimed amateur wildlife expert, Cletus Jenkins, has successfully convinced the entire town of Livingston that the recent rash of black panther sightings was nothing more than a mass hallucination brought on by too much sweet tea.

Jenkins, known for his tall tales and love of embellishment, took it upon himself to quell the growing hysteria surrounding the reported black panther sightings in the area. Armed with nothing more than a straw hat and a twangy accent, Jenkins held a town meeting in the local community center to address the alarming situation.

“All y’all need to calm down now,” Jenkins reportedly told the crowd. “Ain’t no black panther wandering ’round these parts. It’s just your mind playin’ tricks on ya.”

Despite initial skepticism, Jenkins’ folksy charm and persuasive storytelling won over even the most ardent believers in the black panther sightings. Within hours, the town’s social media pages were flooded with posts denouncing the alleged sightings as nothing more than a collective fever dream.

In a statement to The Piney Woods Gazette, Jenkins explained his reasoning behind the elaborate ruse: “I just couldn’t bear to see my friends and neighbors all riled up over somethin’ that ain’t real. Sometimes, a little white lie is better than the truth.”

While some residents remain skeptical of Jenkins’ claims, the majority seem relieved to put the black panther saga behind them. As for Jenkins, he has already moved on to his next project: convincing the town that the public water supply isn’t actually “nasty,” despite widespread reports of a peculiar odor reminiscent of catfish bait.

As for the alleged Texas Craft Fair coming to town, well, let’s just say residents are eagerly anticipating an event that may or may not exist.