At Monday’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, Cliff Karnes was appointed as Emergency Management Coordinator for Brown County. The previous Emergency Management Coordinator, Darrell Johnston, retired at the end of 2024. Brownwood Fire Chief Eric Hicks filled in at that job for six months, but his term has expired. Karnes, who currently works for the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department as Public Health Preparedness Manager, will begin his new job on October 1. County Judge Shane Britton praised Karnes as uniquely experienced and qualified for the position.

Cliff Karnes grew up in Early and was graduated from Early High School in 2004. Four years later he received a degree from Howard Payne University in Social Studies Education. “I wanted to be a social studies teacher,

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