Dodge Ridge nabs small-business prize

Sen. Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, honored Dodge Ridge Ski Area as the 14th District's Small Business of the Year. Dodge Ridge opened in 1950 and has been owned and operated by the Helms family for 36 years.

Over the years, the resort has expanded by adding several chairlifts and upgrading the lodge. Additionally, Dodge Ridge has supported the community by holding events benefiting the Society for Handicapped Children and Adults and Habitat for Humanity.

Berryhill represents Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties.

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Three employees of Dot Foods Modesto qualified for the company's national competition in forklift rodeo in Mount Sterling, Ill. The competition tests the skills of the forklift drivers from Dot Foods' eight distribution centers nationwide.

In the qualifying round, Modesto's Ismael Arteaga took the top local prize in narrow aisle. Patrick Palmateer won in sit-down lift truck and Chris Alexander won on mule, also known as an electric pallet jack.

The winner in each division will earn all-expense-paid vacations, choosing from a list that includes several possible destinations.

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Gov. Jerry Brown named four people to the 39th Agricultural District board that oversees the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. They are Gay Callan, Katherine Campbell and Evan Garamendi, all of San Andreas, and Gloria Grimes of West Point.

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The city of Newman and a Turlock Journal reporter were honored by the American Planning Association's California Chapter Central Section for outstanding achievements. Newman received the planning implementation award for its downtown revitalization plan. Alex Cantatore of the Journal received the Individual Journalistic Award for his planning and land use coverage.

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Kathryn Duclo, a local independent financial planner in Manteca, has been selected to be the National Chairperson for the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation's International Grants Committee.

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