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vol . 5 , no. 29 : march 18-24, 2026 : losgatan.com
immigration scam p4 : blum on antisemitism p6 : police blotter p7 : farmers' market update p12 Amanda Senior
LOOKING INTO EL CAMINO’S SAFETY RATING GRADE DROP Leapfrog Group’s methodology called “deceptive” by Florida court Anik a K apasi, Contributor
The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit that evaluates nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide for its quality and safety, is facing intense scrutiny following a March 6 court ruling that labeled its methodology “deceptive” for penalizing non-participating hospitals. Leapfrog publishes hospital safety report cards twice a year, grading hospitals from A to F based on how well they prevent infections, injuries and medical errors. A federal judge ruled the group violated Florida’s consumer protection law by unfairly penalizing hospitals that didn’t take its surveys. While the ruling has raised questions about the ratings system, the grades continue to influence how hospitals are evaluated nationwide—including in Los Gatos. In one standout local result this year, El Camino Hospital Los Gatos received a “B” in Leapfrog’s Fall 2025 report, after six consecutive “A” grades. On March 8, Leapfrog President and CEO Leah Binder fired back against the injunction by Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks (calling it a “threat to patient safety” across the US) related to five Florida hospitals operated by Tenet Healthcare. “We vehemently disagree with this decision, as we believe it threatens the First Amendment ➝ Leapfrog, 5
DENTAL TREATMENT Cheryl Stuermer provides gold star care to Jungo. She tells us about how she honed her craft.
IN THE WORKSHOP WITH CAROUSEL RESTORER CHERYL STUERMER Behind-the-scenes magic keeps the W. E. “Bill” Mason Carousel spinning Amanda Senior, Contributor
Saddled on their chosen steeds, children gleefully wave to their parents amidst the festive sound of a Wurlitzer organ. For some, riding the carousel is a new experience. For others, it’s a cherished childhood mem-
ory passed from one generation to the next. Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Inc. purchased the W. E. “Bill” Mason Carousel in 1980. After 10 years, and thousands of volunteer hours, the carousel was restored and ready for riders. But the work never stops to keep the historic carousel spinning. For Cheryl Stuermer, it’s been a passion project. I find Stuermer in her workshop, window open, deliver-
ing a gold-standard dental treatment to her steed, Jungo. Stuermer doesn’t notice me lurking, a habit formed from streams of visitors on their stroll through Oak Meadow Park. Dremel in hand, Stuermer sands enamel paint between the horse’s teeth, his lips curled back in a whinny. The whirring power tool is too loud to talk over, so Stuermer switches to hand sanding. ➝ Carousel, 8
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