Karen Meehan, Washington, DC
The headlines “Pickup line,” “Who’s the Ross” and “Display of affection” were so clever. Good journalistic technique! […]
Katie Howard
Posts by Katie Howard
Destination: Danger
Terry Curry, a rural carrier in Jeffersonville, GA, was recently delivering mail when she came upon an older customer walking along a dirt road on a day with triple-digit temperatures. Curry stopped to check on the woman, who said she was on her way to her son’s home but didn’t feel well and didn’t think […]
Sending out an SOS
The Combined Federal Campaign’s cause of the week is disaster response. According to a 2021 report by the World Meteorological Organization, during the past 50 years: • The number of weather-related disasters increased by a factor of five. • A disaster related to weather, climate or water hazard occurred every day, killing 115 people and […]
Climbing the ranks
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the Postal Service leadership ranks: • DeAngela L. Mayes was named integration and support specialist in Corporate Affairs. She previously served as a consumer relations specialist. • Wisconsin District Manager Samarn S. Reed was named to a special assignment for Central Area. St. Louis Postmaster Jeff A. […]
Conversation starter
The Postal Service wants to remind employees about the Hatch Act’s rules on political conversations on the job. The Hatch Act prohibits postal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty, in a postal building, while wearing a postal uniform or badge or while in a postal vehicle. Political activity is any activity […]
Breast cancer awareness
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn more about the disease and efforts to cure it. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States. Men can have breast cancer, too, though it is rare. Breast cancer begins in the tissue of the breast. […]
Big picture
The Postal Service is asking military members and veterans to join dozens of others who have already submitted photos of themselves for an upcoming Veterans Day video. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 15. Submissions should be sent to Marty Mieras, military program specialist, at martin.m.mieras@usps.gov and should include the veteran’s name, rank and USPS […]
Judith Reeder, Washington, DC
“Cool by the pool,” the Heroes’ Corner article about a Colorado letter carrier who performed CPR to save an unresponsive girl pulled from a pool, was a beautiful story. The letter carrier’s actions were commendable. […]
Something’s off-road
Julie Bish, a rural carrier, was recently delivering mail in New Bethlehem, PA, when the sight of a downed mailbox gave her pause. She soon spotted the apparent cause: an all-terrain vehicle that had crashed nearby. The Postal Service employee stopped to take a closer look and found a man pinned underneath the four-wheeler, which […]
Merry shipping
The Postal Service has recommended deadlines for the holiday mailing and shipping season. The suggestions, released Oct. 4, are for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic, Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO) and Diplomatic Post Office addresses. Here are the deadlines: • Nov. 5: APO, FPO, and DPO addresses (all ZIP Codes), […]
Energy Action Month
October is Energy Action Month, a time for federal agencies to share what they have done to advance energy conservation and resilience. This year, USPS is highlighting its Commitment to Environmental Excellence, an eight-point framework for making sustainability a priority at all levels of decision-making. It is also a public statement of the organization’s desire […]
High achievers
Here’s a look at Postal Service employees who received appointments or recognition recently: • James C. Colling was named chief counsel overseeing National Labor Relations Board matters in the Labor Law Group. He previously served as senior litigation counsel in the national employment litigation unit. • Brenda L. Hunter, a Supply Management program analyst, received […]
Karen Meehan, Washington, DC
“Babe in the woods,” the Heroes’ Corner article about a postal worker who rescued a wayward child — was another clever headline. […]
Lookout ladies
Do you know colleagues like Stephanie Tait and Jenifer Bertolina-Teper, who took decisive action in Murray, UT, to help an 86-year-old customer who had been scammed out of over $100,000? We want to know about them, too. USPS is seeking nominees for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which honors employees who go above and beyond […]
Cold facts
USPS is reminding postal facilities to properly manage equipment containing refrigerants, in accordance with regulatory requirements. Refrigerant-containing equipment includes chillers, air conditioners, fire suppression systems, drinking fountains, refrigerators and freezers. Never vent or otherwise release refrigerants into the atmosphere. Refrigerants, refrigerant-containing equipment and cylinders must be disposed of properly. Other refrigerant management requirements include: • […]
Disability employment awareness
As it does each October, the Postal Service is observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize and honor the contributions of workers with disabilities of all kinds. The Department of Labor has chosen “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation” as the theme for the month. “People with disabilities make up a wonderfully […]
Pose for elfies
The Postal Service is collecting stories and photos of employees who do whatever it takes to get the job done throughout the holidays. As part of the Postal Proud initiative, the organization shines a light on employees who go the extra mile for customers during this year’s peak delivery season. From Oct. 1-Dec. 31, Peek […]
Arm’s way
Christopher Smith, a letter carrier in North Huntingdon, PA, was recently delivering mail when he heard a customer yelling for help inside her home. Smith rushed to check on the woman, who was stranded on the floor after falling the day before and breaking her arm. The Postal Service employee immediately called 911 and comforted […]
Lynn Long, Cincinnati, Ohio
As a 66-year-young grandma elf in waiting, I’m so glad that the Operation Santa program —highlighted in the “Holiday kickoff” article — has opened up again. I began receiving Santa letters in March. […]
Rising to the top
Here’s a look at Postal Service employees who received appointments or recognition recently: • Shontay L. Porter was named talent and acquisition director. She previously served as professional development programs manager. • Jane E. Quenk, identity access and management manager, was named acting revenue assurance executive manager. • Rick G. Thompson, operations insights manager, was […]
Swift fulfillment
Victory Packaging, the fulfillment company for the Postal Service’s expedited packaging supplies, will now process and ship orders within one business day from the date of receipt. Previously, the interval between order and processing could be as much as 72 hours. The change is effective Oct. 1. The update applies to the standard expedited packaging […]
Power portal
Postal Service employees will have multiple options for submitting leads in the Employee Engagement Lead Generation Programs, starting Oct. 1. Employees will also be able to see their individual lead status reports. ACE users can access the new Employee Lead Entry site on Blue by selecting the “Submit a Lead” link under “Featured Topics.” Links […]
Who’s the Ross?
Do you know colleagues like Ross Brossart, a letter carrier who ran door to door at a Grand Forks, ND, condominium to ensure the safety of residents threatened by a devastating blaze? We want to know about them, too. USPS is seeking nominees for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which honors employees who go above […]
Michael Wear, Denver
The Remote Encoding Center highlighted in the “Handwriting hackers” article is pretty cool. I have known about the process of deciphering illegible handwritten addresses for years, but it is really a mystery to most postal workers exactly how it works. […]
Pickup line
A North Carolina postmaster’s conversation with a customer has resulted in a shipping deal worth more than $2 million for the Postal Service. Matthew Walters, who leads the Elkin Post Office, noticed that the owner of a local business was coming into the Post Office each day to mail packages. Walters let the business owner […]
Display of affection
A Philadelphia woman’s use of mail to decorate her home — and honor her late father — has gone viral on social media. Lauren Rosa Miller created a wall display in her living room, using framed postcards that her dad, Dave Miller Sr., sent while she was growing up. Dave, who owned and operated a […]
Labor update
USPS and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) have agreed to extend contract negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. Although the contract with the NPMHU expired at midnight Sept. 20, the Postal Service and the union mutually agreed to extend negotiations. The NPMHU represents more than 55,000 mail handlers nationwide. […]
Babe in the woods
Rural Carrier Becky Woolard was recently delivering mail in Bath, NC, when she spotted a toddler in trouble: The 3-year-old had taken a wooded path to their grandparents’ house next door, but no one was at home at the time. Woolard walked the toddler back along the path, and the mother was unaware her kid […]
New gigs
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the Postal Service leadership ranks: North Carolina District Manager Russell D. Gardner Jr. will retire from USPS on Sept. 30 after more than 35 years. • Chanan S. Jian VI was named California 2 District’s safety manager. He previously served as a Retail and Delivery Operations Command […]
Jolly entrance
The Postal Service celebrated the release of the Holiday Elves Forever stamps at Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK. The Sept. 15 event was held against a festive backdrop and included appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus and their reindeer. USPS Board of Governors Secretary Michael Elston served as the dedicating official. The Holiday Elves […]