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Top state lawmakers want to add a gender 'X' option on Massachusetts identification cards and driver's licenses.

The idea is to make our ID Cards more inclusive to reflect how people identify themselves.

State Senate President Karen Spilka is joining forces with lawmakers from across the state to make a third, gender-neutral option available to applicants who don't define themselves as male or female. 

The so-called "Gender X" bill would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to offer non-binary gender options on a license or learner's permit. 

It would also allow anyone over 18, an emancipated minor, or the parents of a minor, to request a change in the sex listed on someone's birth certificate to gender 'X'.

Through the bill town clerks and other officials would be prohibited from requiring medical or health care documentation to make the change.

The bill is up for a vote on the Senate Floor next week. 

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Stop & Shop workers have officially been off the job for seven days and this work stoppage is having a big impact on small food markets.

As a result of the strike, Stop & Shop's deli is currently not in operation and the store says their meat selection has become limited. The same goes for the bakery.

With Easter quickly approaching and customers needing deli and bakery items, nearby butcher shops and bakeries have seen more foot traffic.

The owner of Strums Deli & Meats in Holyoke told 22News business has doubled since the strike and they're running out of supplies "like there's a snowstorm."

"It's not the greatest scenario, but we'll take it as long as we can get it," owner Matt Frazier said. "It's a really huge boost for a small place like us, every penny counts."

No word yet on when the strike will end. 

Stop & Shop striking workers going into 7 days without financial help

Stop & Shop apologizes for limited service as strike continues for sixth day

Union leaders resume contract negotiations with Stop & Shop

Stop & Shop workers walk off job amid ongoing contract negotiations  

Find 22News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to [email protected].

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WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A couple on a Tinder date, an ER nurse, and a Vietnam veteran are just some examples of the Pay it Forward cards people have filled out at Skyline Trading Company in Westfield.

The restaurant-bar offers an easy way for its customers to help out complete strangers with their Pay It Forward Wall.

Owner Daniel Osella told 22News they came up with the idea during the government shutdown back in January. Ever since then, it's been a huge success and a show of humanity.

“It’s to put a smile on somebody’s face and just keep it going,” Osella said. “We don’t know what everyone else is dealing with on a daily basis.” 

Here’s how it works.  

Pay it forward: 

Ask for a Pay it Forward card 

Fill out the “To,” “From,” “Item,” columns based on who you want to pay it forward to. It can be for a specific person or something more general like: A single father or a teacher. You can choose what you want to pay forward: One appetizer, a beer, or even $10 toward a person’s tab.

Pay the amount Tack up your card on the Pay It Forward Wall 

To use a Pay It Forward card: 

Go over to the wall 

Find a card that applies to you 

Cash it in! 

Skyline Trading Company is expanding in the near future and will have a 10-barrel brewing system onsite.

How you Pay it Forward:

I often will pay someone's D & D tab at the drive through. Done it a few times. Feels pretty good

— “In Amity, you say “yahd” (@waaf86) May 24, 2019

A person in front of me at the drive thru at Dunkin’ paid for my stuff, so I paid for the person behind me! 😅

— J.Michelle 👽 (@RodgzJM) May 24, 2019

We had severe storms a few yrs ago & many lost power for about a week. I did not. At a grocery store I ran into two women, separately crying in the dairy section bc all was expensive to replace. Store had coins you earned or won to get discounts & I gave each 10 to help.

— Mary Kirkwood (@Mkwood1952) May 24, 2019

I have paid extra at DDs a few times and told them to use it up.

— Fred and Cindy Seiffert (@FredCindy2000) May 24, 2019

All my #payitforward gestures are my secret. Feels good to give without anyone wanting to thank me. All those who pay it forward are honorable people. I have been on the receiving end and it felt so good I had to return that feeling to someone else.

— Steve Gencarelle (@steveginx) May 24, 2019

Find 22News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to [email protected].

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Local businesses and Northampton city workers are doing their part to fight the opioid epidemic.

Northampton launched a city-wide overdose prevention program in the fall of 2017.

City employees and members of the public have been discovering more and more syringes and drug paraphernalia in public places over the last few years.

"So in response to that, the City of Northampton put sharp needle disposal containers in all of our municipal buildings that have public bathrooms," said Northampton Public Health Director Merridith O'Leary.

The Health Department's also been working with training businesses to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to properly administer the overdose reversal drug, Narcan.

In addition to the training, the health department is also offering all of Hampshire County and its businesses Narcan.

The Opioid epidemic has forced ordinary citizens to jump into action as first responders.

"We've seen overdoses happen in public restrooms, out in parks and on the bike path," said Hampshire Hope Program Coordinator Cherry Sullivan. "So what we know is that often times folks who are working in our local businesses are first responders. They're there, they are able to save a life."

And the help doesn't end there.

Hampshire Hope's Drug Addiction and Recovery Team offers support to people at risk for overdose, as well as family members affected by the opioid crisis.

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Montague could soon have its first recreational marijuana dispensary and grow facility.

253 Organic LLC  is planning to convert the former Hallmark Imaging plant on Millers Falls Road into its own recreational marijuana business. The former Hallmark Imaging building has been vacant for more than a decade. 

"The building is actually in very good condition, it has good bones," said Montague Town Administrator, Steve Ellis. "They are of course completely reconfiguring it and rehabilitating it to meet the needs of a very different business."

253 Organic LLC said they plan to use this building to manufacture, grow and sell recreational marijuana. They expect to hire up to 50 employees to work at their Montague site where they plan to sell flower, edibles, oils, and topicals.  

"All of our cannabis will be tested and the public will be able to see what the results are and know exactly what they're buying," said 253 Organic LLC Co-Owner, Seth Rutherford. 

The town has approved 253 Organic's recreational marijuana business, but the company still needs an operating license from the Cannabis Control Commission. Interior renovation work is scheduled to begin October 1. 

The company hopes to complete construction on their recreational marijuana plant in the fall of 2019.

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The mayor of Greenfield is asking the Greenfield Town Council for immediate assistance regarding the increase of camping on the Town Common.

Greenfield Mayor William Martin has requested a special meeting to take place Thursday at 6 p.m. at the John Zon Community Center on 35 Pleasant Street. 

Martin said the council is the only body that can amend or modify ordinances or codes so that the matter of camping on the Common can be resolved.

A resource fair was held by the mayor on the Town Common last week to connect people experiencing homelessness with community resources.

A roundtable discussion was also held by the mayor Tuesday with local service agencies. 

Related:

Homeless people have been camping out on the Greenfield Town Common

There's a growing homeless encampment on the Greenfield Town Common

Greenfield City Councilor proposing temporary solution for Town Common campers

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – After yet another school shooting, parents are wondering what they can do to protect their kids.

Based out of Lowell, Bullet Blocker manufactures bulletproof school supplies including backpacks.

With each year, security investments are becoming a bigger part of school budgets.

Putting bulletproof backpacks to the test

But with school resources limited, parents are searching for options. Joe Curran founded Bullet Blocker 11-years-ago after the shooting at Virginia Tech.

“I had some old bullet proof vests,” said Curran. “I cut them up and put them in the backpacks and told the kids if a bad guy comes in with a gun, hold the backpack between you and him.”

Parents in Springfield buying bulletproof backpacks following Florida school shooting

Curran said the bullets won’t stop an assault rifle, but they do stop handguns, shotguns and small caliber rifles.

For schools that don’t allow backpacks, they also make bulletproof briefcases, notebooks, binders and clothing.

So how much are you willing to pay for peace of mind?

Backpacks are between two and $400.

[westernmanews]

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – With another Nor’easter heading our way, residents rushed to grocery stores to stock up on essentials.

The Big Y in West Springfield had a crowd of shoppers grabbing various items from food to ice melt to shovels.

MassDOT preparing for Wednesday’s storm

One West Springfield resident  says she doesn’t expect the accumulated snow to stay on the ground all that long.

“The only good thing about it is its not going to last,” Lise Bedard told 22News. “The sun is going to come out and melt it quickly. ‘Ill be glad when spring gets here.”

The first day of Spring is two weeks away.

Western Massachusetts is expecting from 6 to 12 inches of snow.