Clark County Courier is a newspaper based in Clark, South Dakota. Owned by Karli Paulson, the Courier has been serving the County of Clark with a circulation of over 2,000 since 1880.
Municipalities in the coverage area include: Clark, Willow Lake, Bradley, Crocker, Raymond, Carpenter, Garden City, Vienna, Naples, and Henry in Codington County.
Meet our staff!
Crush (July 2024-October 2025)
Office Kitty, Napper, Social Butterfly
Crush came to us in July 2024. He was wandering outside of a friend’s house in Fargo, ND, a few nights before Karli was set to visit. Karli's friend found him and asked if Karli could take him in. He didn’t have a collar or a microchip, but was super friendly and lovable.
Karli couldn’t resist.
Given how affectionate he was, and because she already had four cats at home, Karli thought he would make a good office kitty. Although, she didn’t have the heart to leave him at the office every night, so he did go back and forth with her. He loved people and getting love from them. He also liked his naps and trying to get into the office plants… We love you and miss you, Crush.
Zoey & Flint
Office Kitties
Zoey is a brown tabby cat (left). Her estimated birth date is August 15, 2025. She was found in a ditch as a tiny kitten and brought to the Humane Society in Watertown. She had to be fostered out and bottle-fed until she was big enough to go back to the Humane Society, which explains her big tummy. Her name before adoption was Sunny.
Flint is a gray tabby long-haired cat (right). He was born at the Humane Society on August 23, 2025. His name before adoption was Prince Albert. Karli adopted Zoey on October 24, 2025, and Flint October 29, 2025, from the Humane Society.
Zoey is an independent spitfire of a kitten. She loves food and playtime. Her favorite toys include plastic bags and sparkly balls. She’s brave and not scared of much. She also loves picking on her brother.
Flint is kind of a mama’s boy. He’s very needy and likes to be held and loved on. His favorite activity is crying out for attention. Flint’s favorite toys are feathers. He’s a bit of a scaredy-cat, but it’s fun to watch his long fur poof up in defense.
Karli Paulson
Owner, Editor, Publisher
I’ve been the owner, editor and publisher of the Clark County Courier since January 2023. Most of my work is behind the scenes at the newspaper. I live with my mom and dad, Doug and Kimberly Paulson, in Clark with my nephew Tren. We have five cats at home (in order of their age): Boots, BB, Stanley, April and Frick-Frack. Zoey and Flint come home for the weekends.
I started working at the Clark County Courier in January 2022, when Annette Helkenn asked me to replace her, because she was planning to retire. I took over her job as the typesetter, graphic designer and paginator of the newspaper. By the end of 2022, I was confident that I could take over for Bill Krikac, the previous owner, as well. He also had been looking to retire for a while. I really like what I do, and I’m glad that I could help keep the newspaper alive in Clark County.
I’ve lived in Clark my whole life. I graduated from Clark High School in May 2018. I attended Minnesota State University Moorhead where I graduated in May 2021 (virtually because of the COVID pandemic), with a bachelor’s degree in Animation and minors in English Writing, Graphic Communications and Media Arts.
Contact Karli via email at clarkcountycourier@gmail.com or by phone (605) 532-3654.
Tania Gutierrez Ramirez
Web, Social Media Manager, Graphic Designer
I joined the Clark Courier family in January 2025. I redesigned this website and keep it running along with the newspaper's social media page. I also help with anything else I can! I've always had a passion for writing, designing, and playing around with programs until I make them work.
Although I was born in Mexico, I was raised all over the Midwest from North Dakota, Indiana, South Dakota and everywhere in between. My senior year in high school I moved to Clark and carved a place for myself there (it's also where I met Karli Paulson; a lifelong friend). Clark quickly stole a special spot in my heart, and I even lived there for the longest period of time (3 years)! I graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute with an Associate's Degree in Human Services in 2020 (virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic). Many people from Clark helped me achieve my dreams, and I will forever be grateful to them.
I currently live in Minnesota with my parents and three siblings. I enjoy napping, gaming, reading and going on shopping sprees I probably shouldn't be going on. I work behind the scenes with Karli, and I enjoy what I do to keep the Clark community and beyond informed!
Contact Tania via email at gutierreztania66@gmail.com
Trudi Gaikowski
Office Manager, Writer
My name is Trudi Gaikowski. I have worked at the Clark County Courier since August of 2021. My husband, Kyle Gaikowski, and I live just north of Clark and have three children: Collin, Cade and Eve. We have two golden retrievers named Tessa and Berkley and a cat named Blade.
I grew up in Bradley and then moved to Watertown later in my childhood. I graduated from Watertown High School and Lake Area Technical Institute. I returned to Clark County in 2003 and married Kyle in 2004.
I am the office manager and proofreader. I also write small articles and help with pretty much anything else that needs to be done around the Courier. I am in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I like all things grammar and spelling—weird, I know… I enjoy helping our local newspaper stay alive and well in Clark County!
Contact Trudi via email at clarkcountycourier@gmail.com or phone (605) 532-3654
Heather Jordan
Photographer, Writer
I joined the Clark County Courier as a sports writer and photographer in August 2023. My journey in sports journalism began in 2002 at the Redfield Press, and I love to capture signature moments and connect others.
I am originally from Lemmon, South Dakota and graduated from South Dakota State University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and English with minors in coaching and Spanish. In my current role, I serve as the Editor of Michels Communications and supervise a team of 12 writers, 4 graphic designers, and 4 photographers to create print and digital marketing for three markets: Sioux Falls, Sioux City, IA, and the Black Hills.
My husband Shane and I moved to Clark in 2019, and two of my three children graduated from Clark High School in 2023 - Brady and Kayla Jordan. When I’m not behind the lens or at my keyboard I enjoy running, gardening, chocolate, and all things photography. I look forward to supporting our local teams!
Contact Heather via email at shjordan88@gmail.com or phone (605) 450-1279
Tara Knutson
Freelancer
Tara Knutson lives in rural Clark County with her husband Ramsey and four children, Ryker, Reece, Raegan, and Rowen. Tara is a native to Clark County; graduating with the Clark High School Class of 2002. She then graduated from Presentation College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and an Associate's Degree in Religious Studies in 2006.
Freelancing for the Courier has allowed Tara to delve into the hometown characteristics of citizens that make Clark County so unique and special. When Tara is not paying tribute to the people of our area, she enjoys spending time with her family traveling, camping and hiking. She also supports her children’s activities with 4-H, sports, music, running and reading. Tara and her family raise sheep and Corgi puppies as well as enjoy riding horses as a family.
Contact Tara via email at knutsonfam4@yahoo.com or phone (605) 520-5242
Christina Kannegieter
Freelancer
I am a 7-12th grade math teacher in Willow Lake. I've been teaching for 26 years, and I am currently in my 18th year in Willow Lake. I graduated from Henry High School and received my teaching degree from South Dakota State University. Over the years, I’ve had multiple teaching hats within the school: math, science, technology, coaching, yearbook, and bus driving.
It’s the yearbook part that got me involved with helping the Clark County Courier. I’ve been a yearbook co-advisor for the last 15 years, and I thoroughly enjoy doing it. I love the design aspect of bringing the pages to life along with going to all the school events to take photos. It helps that my own kids are involved, so if I am going I might as well get something accomplished. Plus, I get to have the best seat in the house at sporting events! (I may even try my hand at an article or two.)
I live just outside Willow Lake on a farm with my husband, Mark, and youngest son, Josh. Mark and I will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary this summer 2025! My daughter Allison is currently attending Mount Marty University in Yankton and will be graduating in May with a degree in Nursing. She is also engaged and planning an August 2025 wedding. My oldest son, Lucas, is a May 2024 graduate from Lake Area Technical College in Agriculture. He farms with my husband and is an assistant wrestling coach for the Cyclones. Josh will graduate in May from Willow Lake and plans to attend Lake Area Technical College. Empty nesting here I come!
Contact Christina via email at christina.kannegieter@k12.sd.us for any activities you’d like to see photographed for the Courier.
Joslyn Reeves
Freelancer
Joslyn Reeves lives near Clark with her husband, Kyle, and daughter Hazel. Joslyn grew up near Raymond, SD, and graduated from the Clark High School Class of 2017. She attended South Dakota State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and a minor in Ag Marketing in 2020.
Joslyn started working as a freelancer for the Courier in September 2025 so she could be a stay-at-home mom and raise her family.
She stays in the loop with Clark, Willow Lake, Florence and Henry schools events and other news. She is most excited about her homesteading series and providing insight into rural and self-sufficient living in Clark County.
Joslyn loves to bake, tend her chickens, and hunt with her husband. She also has a garden, where she preserves and cans as much food as possible. Not only that, but she can be found helping her family's grain and cattle farm, coordinating the Clark Area Farmers Market, volunteering in 4-H and taking part in the Choose Clark County Board of Directors.
Contact Joslyn via email at joslyn.hurlbert@gmail.com or phone (605) 233-0269.