Katie Howard

USPS, Inspection Service continue to combat postal crime and protect employees

3/19/24 at 5:09 am | Updated 3/18/24 at 12:05 pm

USPS and the Postal Inspection Service provided an update last week on their Project Safe Delivery campaign to protect postal employees and secure the nation’s mail and packages. “We have been unrelenting in our pursuit of criminals who target postal employees and the U.S. Mail. The efforts of our postal inspectors and law enforcement partners […]

Product solutions VP to retire

3/19/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 3/18/24 at 11:06 am

Thomas J. Foti, product solutions vice president, will retire March 30 after more than 35 years with the Postal Service. In his current role, which he assumed in 2020, Foti leads nearly 2,500 employees in product management; product classification; commercial product payment and policy; election and government mail; and pricing and classification. He has served […]

A little bit of everything

3/19/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 3/18/24 at 12:56 pm

My name is Cheryl Robertson and I’m a data conversion operator at the USPS Remote Encoding Center in Salt Lake City, where images of mail with indecipherable writing are sent to be decoded. We also enter change-of-address and customs forms. I’m a group leader, which means I do a little bit of everything — support […]

Wellspring of courage

3/15/24 at 5:18 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 12:06 pm

History runs deep in Church Creek, the hamlet on Maryland’s Eastern Shore where the dedication ceremony for the Postal Service’s Underground Railroad stamps was held last week. “It’s a beautiful place,” said Ronnie O. Reynolds, a USPS retail associate who has been a mainstay at the Church Creek Post Office for more than 40 years. […]

She found $10K in cash — and turned it in

3/15/24 at 5:16 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 11:36 am

Rural Carrier Carolyn Norton was driving to work at the McKinney, TX, Post Office one morning last September when she saw $20 bills flying around. Norton pulled over and safely collected as much of the money as possible, then called 911. Police arrived and helped gather the rest of the money, which totaled nearly $10,000. […]

Two stamp releases are on the way

3/15/24 at 5:14 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 11:47 am

The Postal Service has two stamp releases on tap this weekend. Bluegrass, a Forever stamp celebrating the singularly American musical style, will be released Friday, March 15. Born in the mid-20th century, bluegrass blends old-time folk and fiddle music with elements of the blues, jazz, country and gospel. The stamp art is inspired by vintage […]

Erin go bragh!

3/15/24 at 5:11 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 11:50 am

To help mark St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a look at five Americans with Irish lineage who were honored with stamps: • John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, has been the subject of several stamps — most recently a 2020 release. During a presidential visit to the Emerald Isle, Kennedy (1917-1963) remarked: “When my great-grandfather left […]

Billings or bust

3/15/24 at 5:09 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 11:56 am

When Donald Gates felt the need for a life change last September, he did the digital equivalent of throwing a dart at a map of the United States. The carrier technician, who was based in Portsmouth, NH, typed “pick a random city in America” into a Google search field. The electronic genie offered links to […]

Fair play

3/15/24 at 5:06 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 10:56 am

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: The Postal Service’s virtual job fairs for supervisory positions are open to both career and noncareer employees. a) True b) False 2. In what area did the Postal […]

One committee’s stamps of approval

3/15/24 at 5:03 am | Updated 3/14/24 at 12:00 pm

Every postage stamp that finds its way to the corner of an envelope begins as someone’s idea — and every idea is reviewed by one group: the USPS Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. The committee, also known as CSAC, meets regularly to review tens of thousands of stamp suggestions from the public and offer recommendations to […]

USPS will hold more than 50 career conferences this year

3/12/24 at 5:17 am | Updated 3/22/24 at 3:19 pm

The Postal Service is encouraging employees to attend one of its career conferences this year to take control of their professional development and create a better future for themselves within USPS. The organization will hold more than 50 conferences across the nation, starting in April. Each meeting will include networking opportunities and interactive sessions designed […]

She can do it

3/12/24 at 5:11 am | Updated 3/11/24 at 10:43 am

My name is Lauren Ireland and I’m a postal inspector in Long Beach, CA. I always wanted to be a federal law enforcement officer and I’m proud that the hard work I did to get here has paid off. When I was 17, I joined the Marine Corps, and later went to work for the […]

Considering making an endorsement? Read this first

3/12/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 3/11/24 at 10:36 am

USPS wants employees to remember they aren’t allowed to endorse nonpostal products, services and businesses. Endorsements are favorable comments provided in writing, on video or in a public forum. Because of the nature of the Postal Service’s work, private organizations might seek to further their interests by requesting an endorsement from a USPS employee. In […]

‘Digital Detox’

3/12/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 3/11/24 at 10:27 am

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on the effects of digital devices on our health and get advice on how to unplug from technology to rejuvenate the body and mind. The session, “Digital Detox,” will be held Tuesday, March 19, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider […]

Courage writ large

3/8/24 at 5:42 am | Updated 3/13/24 at 5:20 pm

The Postal Service will release stamps commemorating the Underground Railroad — a network of secret byways and safe houses that helped lead enslaved people to freedom before the Civil War — on Saturday, March 9. Martin Luther King Jr. said the Underground Railroad “symbolized hope when freedom was almost an impossible dream.” The stamps feature […]

She saw a motorbike being stolen — and called police

3/8/24 at 5:36 am | Updated 3/7/24 at 11:17 am

Letter Carrier Kendra Bjork was delivering packages in Traer, IA, recently when she noticed two people behaving suspiciously outside a customer’s residence. The Postal Service employee didn’t recognize the pair, who appeared to be stealing a motorbike. Bjork wrote down the make, model and license plate number of the vehicle they used to transport the […]

Back in the saddle

3/8/24 at 5:34 am | Updated 3/7/24 at 3:32 pm

More than two dozen horseback riders recently carried 20,000 letters across 200 miles in Arizona during the Hashknife Pony Express. The annual ride is in its 66th year of relaying mail in sacks along a route from Holbrook to Scottsdale. During the journey, riders wear authentic Western gear to re-create the Pony Express, the storied […]

Greet news!

3/8/24 at 5:31 am | Updated 3/7/24 at 3:38 pm

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. What is the name of the private Facebook group that encourages people to mail greeting cards to strangers? a) Card Connections b) Kindness in the Cards c) Random Acts of Cardness […]

Bluegrass

3/8/24 at 5:29 am | Updated 3/7/24 at 10:40 am

The Postal Service will dedicate its Bluegrass stamp on Friday, March 15. The ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Central at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 311 W. Second St. in Owensboro, KY. The speakers will include Steve Monteith, the USPS chief customer and marketing officer. Attendees are encouraged […]

Daylight saving time begins this weekend

3/8/24 at 5:21 am | Updated 3/7/24 at 10:29 am

Daylight saving time returns Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m. In areas where the change is observed, clocks should be set ahead one hour Saturday, March 9, at bedtime. Standard time will resume Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m. […]

Postal Bulletin covers smishing, vishing

3/7/24 at 10:33 am

Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published March 7, explains the ongoing threat of smishing and vishing. Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included. Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues. […]

USPS will hold virtual fairs for supervisory jobs

3/5/24 at 5:24 am | Updated 3/4/24 at 10:16 am

The Postal Service will hold four virtual job fairs for supervisory positions this year, starting in March. Topics to be covered include: • Supervisory roles and responsibilities, potential career paths and how to find and apply for positions; • How to effectively respond to knowledge, skills and abilities questions to demonstrate your qualifications; • Job […]

Accentuating the positive

3/5/24 at 5:22 am | Updated 3/4/24 at 10:07 am

My name is Kevin Terry and I’m a delivery support specialist — arguably the best position in the Postal Service — for Louisiana District. I coach, mentor and develop front-line supervisors and other employees. I love helping others with their careers because, as a former rural carrier associate, I know how important it is to […]

Is that message malicious?

3/5/24 at 5:17 am | Updated 3/4/24 at 9:56 am

The CyberSafe at USPS team wants employees and contractors to know that smishing and vishing are rising threats to the Postal Service. Smishing refers to text messages sent by online criminals to con recipients into downloading malicious software or divulging passwords and financial account information. Vishing is a term that combines the words “voice” and […]

‘Herbs and Other Natural Foods’

3/5/24 at 5:16 am | Updated 3/4/24 at 10:33 am

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on the health effects of herbs and how to incorporate them into your daily life. The session, “Herbs and Other Natural Foods,” will be held Tuesday, March 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health plans for federal employees, […]

Environmental compliance training due

3/5/24 at 5:12 am | Updated 3/4/24 at 9:44 am

USPS employees who conduct vehicle or building maintenance activities, handle hazardous or regulated waste, or have responsibilities for bulk storage tanks containing oil may be required to complete environmental compliance training. Installation heads should use the online Environmental Training Matrix document to determine the applicable requirements and identify employees who must complete each course. Most […]

Women’s History Month begins

3/1/24 at 6:56 am | Updated 2/29/24 at 11:49 am

The Postal Service will observe Women’s History Month, which begins on Friday, March 1. The commemoration was first observed nationally as Women’s History Week in 1980. The week was chosen to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, a global observance that began in 1911. In 1987, Congress designated the entire month of March […]

‘Am I hit?’

3/1/24 at 6:51 am | Updated 2/29/24 at 11:39 am

Custodian Ruben Munoz was working outside the Phoenix Processing and Distribution Center last fall when he heard gunshots in the distance. Moments later, a woman pulled up in her car, got out and approached Munoz. “Am I hit?” she asked repeatedly. The woman had been driving nearby when she saw a man shooting a gun. […]

Piece by piece

3/1/24 at 6:48 am | Updated 2/29/24 at 2:05 pm

Postmaster Lejuana Tennyson is helping forge community, one puzzle piece at a time. As a festive diversion for customers at the Smithville, OK, Post Office, Tennyson purchased a jigsaw puzzle depicting vintage holiday postage stamps. The pieces were laid out on a lobby table in December with a sign inviting interested customers to try their […]

Hoop hoop hooray!

3/1/24 at 6:46 am | Updated 2/29/24 at 11:18 am

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Under coach John Wooden, how many NCAA Division I national basketball championships did the UCLA Bruins win? a) Four b) 10 c) 88 d) None of the above 2. Which Postmaster […]

Posts by Katie Howard