Home Care In Webster, MA

This week's Hometown MVP brings us to central Massachusetts, where a young man has proven himself to be a leader wherever he goes with his larger-than-life personality.

Francois Prince Emmanuel Longdaye Yambete — Francis Longdaye for short — probably never imagined he'd be living and thriving in the Webster community growing up halfway across the world.

But that's exactly what he's doing now.

A senior on the Bartlett High School football team, Longdaye plays on both sides of the ball as a tight end and a defensive tackle. Right now, he's recovering from an injury, but he expects to play in his final Thanksgiving game.

"I always try to be loud, vocal, and encourage my teammates to give them motivation for them to keep pushing forward and finding a new limit," he said.

Longdaye knows a lot about pushing forward — and so does his family.

When he was in the third grade, they had to abruptly leave their home in the Central African Republic.

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"There was a coup d'etat. So we had to leave the country because of a civil war," he said. "My mom packed my little brother on her back and had me on his side, and we went to the airport, and as soon as we got to the airport, we left."

His father eventually met up with them to safety. They went from there to Togo, then to Philadephia and have now made a home in Webster.

“I sit and talk with my grandma, I say the Americans, they're too kind. And it's a very welcoming and embracing place," he said.

Longdaye has also embraced the community. Not only is he class president, he speaks four languages and is learning two more. He gives back by being involved with the future teachers program and mentors students at Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

"He's top tier," Bartlett head coach Dane Laboissonniere said. "As a kid who's come from that sort of background, not even from the country, to really believe in giving back so much to the youth of the community of Webster."

Now I see that I could be a role model for the little kids and give them somebody to look up to," Longdaye said.

So what's next?

Longdaye has enlisted in the Navy, with the hopes of becoming a Navy SEAL.

It was a tough journey to get to this moment, but he doesn't forget where he came from.

"I use it as a motivation to continue and to continue and keep doing what I do," he said.

During the civil war in the Central African Republic, the opposing side had a bounty on his father, mother and him.

He uses the scary experience as motivation now — and the town of Webster is surely grateful to have them there now.

Bartlett High will wrap up their season against rival Southbridge on Thanksgiving Day.

WEBSTER, MASS. (WHDH) - A daycare in Webster has been closed after being in business for 24 years. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) cited concerns about the owner’s dogs, but parents say the state got it wrong.

“It’s just not fair,” said Kim Adams.

For 24 years, Adams cared for children in her home daycare called Circle of Friends.

“It’s been devastating physically and professionally,” she said. “It’s truly what I love to do. You have to love this job.”

Her business had a perfect state record.

“We know that our daughter is safe here,” said parent Victoria Laplante.

Although, the state disagrees. The EEC believes Adam’s three English mastiffs pose a threat to children.

On July 31, an EEC inspector showed up without notice when the daycare was closed. In the inspection report she claims when she walked to the garage, the dogs barked, and one jumped on her. She says she was scratched and bit.

“This wasn’t something that would happen if I was open for daycare,” said Adams. “My dogs are not out front during pick up or drop off.”

The inspector also says she was bit back in January when she entered the property through a gate marked “no trespassing– ” an area where only the dogs are allowed.

“When you open this gate and see my dogs, you are going to continuously walk through and say, ‘oh no thanks, maybe I should call,’” said Adams.

The EEC opened an investigation speaking with staff, animal control, and nine parents.

“Never even had an issue with the dogs whatsoever,” said parent Gretchen Heckler. “If I saw them, they didn’t even react to me.”

“They are very docile. They just kind of lay around,” said Laplante.

The EEC’s own investigation backed that up, finding, “no evidence to indicate the educator’s dogs created a threat to the children in the child care setting.” Adams wasn’t cited for either incident either, but the state has kept her daycare closed for months. This has left parents scrambling for childcare.

“We have gone through family, extended family, friends, just to be able to manage a couple hours here, a couple hours there,” said Heckler.

“It’s extremely frustrating. It’s infuriating,” said Laplante.

Sharon Woodward knows how daycares are regulated. She spent decades inspecting them for the state.

“An investigation report that totally vindicated her. I’ve never seen a report like that in all my years that I’ve been doing this. Not one citation,” said Woodward who is a former EEC inspector. “She is going over and above in what she’s willing to do. She has tried to meet them more than halfway and for whatever reason, they’ve decided to ignore it.”

Adams has been told she can only reopen if she prohibits the dogs from entering the child care space and every parent signs an agreement. She refused.

“It’s pretty much advertising that it’s not safe here,” said Adams. “I just can’t sign something that’s not representing the facts of their own investigation.”

7 Investigates asked the EEC for documentation to support the claims of bites and scratches, but we have not received any evidence.

A spokesperson told us the agency tried to work with Adams, but, “after unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement to mitigate potential risk to children and staff at her program, we made the difficult decision to revoke her license.”

“It’s like they don’t care what happens to to these kids or these families as well as Kim as a small business owner,” said Laplante.

“I said I would buy muzzles. I would have my husband put up a kennel out back. I would get rid of the dogs for the week. I would do whatever i had to do,” said Adams. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Adams is in the process of appealing the EEC’s decision to revoke her license. If she’s unsuccessful, Circle of Friends will remain closed.

(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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A massive fire was reported at Webster Park Rehab and Nursing Home in Rockland, Massachusetts on November 29. The incident took place at 56 Webster St. The fire is on the third floor, and evacuations are reportedly underway.

Authorities posted an update on Facebook. “Rockland Firefighters are operating at a Working Fire at 56 Webster St. Webster Park Nursing and Rehab. Fire on the 3rd floor.”

Norwell Fire Department responded, “Norwell E1 and C2 working at Rockland’s third alarm fire. Off duty personnel recalled to respond to calls in our town.”

Hanover MA Fire Department also added, “Hanover Tower 1 is responding mutual aid to the Town of Rockland, 56 Webster Street, for the 2nd alarm structure fire. All off-duty firefighters have been called back to cover additional calls in Hanover.”

Brockton fire department joined in the efforts as well, saying on X, “Brockton Fire E7, Car 55, and Car 57 are on scene for mutual aid in the town of Rockland for their 3rd Alarm fire on Webster St.” Hanson Firefighters added “Hanson Firefighters responded to assist Rockland Firefighters with a 3rd alarm fire at the Webster Park Nursing Home. All off duty personnel recalled for station coverage.”

Duxbury Fire PIO added, “A2, along with numerous other area departments are currently assisting Rockland Fire with evacuations of a Nursing Home after a 3rd alarm fire.” They shared visuals of the response.

One person on X noted, “Multiple mutual aid is moving to Rockland, and multi other towns due to it being a 3rd alarm fire and (2) ambulance strike trams to scene.” They stated that evacuations were on as efforts were being made to battle the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains unknown for now.

More than 100 residents of a Rockland nursing and rehabilitation facility will be evacuated after a three-alarm fire broke out in the building Saturday afternoon, Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey said.

Duffey said all 102 residents of the Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at 56 Webster St. in Rockland will need to be evacuated.

The fire was reported at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, he said. When crews arrived on scene they found fire on the third floor of the building that was "being held in check by" the automatic sprinkler system and the crews "very quickly were able to get water on the fire and finish putting it out" but there was "very heavy smoke," Duffey said at a press conference on scene Saturday afternoon.

He said all residents from the third floor were "safely evacuated" via stairs in front and back with "no injuries to any of the patients or fire service personnel."

Duffey said the fire department is working with the staff of the facility "who have been incredible throughout this process" to determine where each patient will be taken.

"We're going to do our best not to overwhelm any of the local hospitals" and hopefully will be able to take the residents to other area nursing homes instead, he said.

What caused the fire?

Duffey said the fire originated in a common area by the nurses station.

"We don't know a cause at this time," he said at the press conference Saturday afternoon. That will be investigated," he said.

How many residents were on third floor?

Duffey said 22 residents were on the third floor. Fire personnel carried them, for the most part, down the stairwells to the second and first floors "where they'd be safe from the smoke," he said.

The elevators could not be used due to possible electrical issues and "overall safety," Duffey said.

He estimated it took about 40 minutes to evacuate them.

Duffey said the challenge was "moving patients that are bed-ridden, that are elderly, a little bit less mobile than your younger population."

All 22 of the residents were "triaged" after they were evacuated from the third floor and, fortunately, none showed signs of smoke inhalation, Duffey said.

Duffey praised the nursing home staff's handling of the emergency.

"The staff has been extremely cooperative and they are really the true heroes, moving patients before we even got here," Duffey said.

When will nursing home reopen?

Duffey said the facility sustained water and smoke damage, with water "cascading" from the third floor all the way to the first, and "the facility will be shut down for some time."

What do we know about the condition of the nursing home?

Duffey said the Fire Department does quarterly inspections of the nursing home and they are "an excellent facility."

The nursing home was last inspected by the state on Jan. 28, 2025, and received an overall score of 119 out of 132 "in all five categories in its last three surveys." The other two surveys were Oct. 31, 2023, and June 30, 2021. "The number of deficiencies not met as a result of complaint investigations is: 0. The facility's score is 119 after adjustment for scope and severity. 31% of all facilities had a score of 119 or lower. The statewide average facility score is 116," according to the Health and Human Services inspection.

How old is the building?

The building was constructed in 1968 and is valued at $6,725,500, according to the Rockland Assessor's Office records. It has 49,769 square feet of net living area, according to the records and sits on 1.51 acres of land.

The building was last sold in December 2013, for $2.279 million to Webster Park Property LLC in Brick, NJ.

The building is two separate buildings, connected by a walkway.

How can relatives of nursing home residents locate their loved ones?

The Rockland Fire Department did not have information immediately available as of 7 p.m. Saturday regarding how relatives of nursing home residents who are being evacuated can locate their loved ones.

(This story was updated to add new information.)