South County Notebook: Feb. 21, 2026

Amherst, MassDevelopment launch Hampshire campus planning effort

The Town Council of Amherst is partnering with MassDevelopment to help shape future development of the 800-acre Hampshire College campus, prioritizing housing, small business development, habitat protection and preservation of farming.

Buckland voters give green light to $500K override in town election

Voters in Buckland approved a Proposition 2 1⁄2 override in a 241-130 vote, which will raise the town's property tax rate to an estimated $18.27 per $1,000 of assessed value in fiscal year 2027, resulting in an additional $500,000 to cover operating costs.

Volunteer-run Cooley Dickinson Hospital Coffee Shop closing to make way for grab-and-go cafe

After 73 years of service, Cooley Dickinson Hospital's volunteer-run Coffee Shop will be replaced with a hospital-run grab-and-go cafe serving Starbucks products this summer.

Greenfield Notebook: June 4, 2026

June 5: ‘Unplugged & Connected’ GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College, in collaboration with Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre, will present “Unplugged & Connected: A Youth-Led Dialogue on Digital Well-Being” on Friday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at GCC. The event will feature a youth-led panel discussion focused on digital health, mindful presence and mental […]

Amherst native Will Matthews celebrates release of new Netflix show ‘The Boroughs’

Decades ago, Will Matthews was a kid at Amherst Regional High School who listened to Frank Sinatra, played the trombone and loved making his classmates laugh. Now, he’s celebrating the release of his new Netflix show. Alongside co-creator Jeffrey Addiss, the Amherst native serves as the co-showrunner for science-fiction series, “The Boroughs,” which premiered its […]