Charlie Kenney, Toledo, OH
It was encouraging to read “Postal potential,” the story about USPS employees receiving yellow belt certification. […]
Katie Howard
Posts by Katie Howard
On the rise
USPS has experienced an uptick in the number of employees who report feeling “engaged,” meaning they are involved, enthusiastic and committed to their work. According to the results of the latest Postal Pulse employee survey, 23 percent of respondents identified themselves as engaged, up from 22 percent last year and 17 percent in 2015. The […]
Cat free
Joe Romano is used to taking postal vehicles apart — but never to extract an animal. The Bellmawr, NJ, lead automotive technician was recently called to the South Jersey Processing and Distribution Center to help free a kitten trapped inside a vehicle’s engine. “It had traveled to the car’s rear suspension,” said Romano. “I had […]
Hockey history
The History of Hockey stamps will be released Oct. 20, providing USPS customers with a new way to celebrate one of the world’s most-loved sports. Hockey dates to the 1800s, when the game began to take shape in Canada. By the late 19th century, hockey gained popularity in the United States. In 1896, Yale University […]
Kevin Sturgess, Kalispell, MT
Letter Carrier Kevin Sturgess was delivering mail recently at a cluster box unit in Kalispell, MT, when he spotted something out of the ordinary: a child’s tricycle in tall grass nearby. As he got out of his vehicle to investigate, he heard whimpering and discovered a little boy at the bottom of a hill. Sturgess […]
Sandra Bowens, Memphis, TN
How wonderful that the children’s book “The Snowy Day” has its own stamps. I loved reading this book to my 29-year-old son when he was little. I still have the book to someday read to my grandkids. […]
Making history
Celebrating African American History and Culture, a stamp honoring the only national museum devoted exclusively to the African-American experience, was dedicated Oct. 13. The stamp showcases the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened last year in Washington, DC. “The National Museum of African American History and Culture is an American treasure […]
Grow your career
Updated versions of the Postal Service’s developmental opportunities guides are now available on the Career Development Blue page. The guides support USPS competency models and can be used as a resource for employees who create individual development plans. The guides include: • Comprehensive lists of on-the-job developmental activities • Managerial coaching tips • Facilitated and […]
Full force
Shane Johnston is a man on a mission. The Mocksville, NC, Postmaster recently returned to work after experiencing an auto accident that changed his life and the way he looks at driving. Johnston, while stopped at a red light, was hit from behind at full force by a distracted driver. Emergency responders think the other […]
Need to know
Gym discounts. Postal Service employees can now receive discounted memberships to 24 Hour Fitness, a gym chain with more than 400 locations across the nation. The discounts are available to employees who enroll at 24hourfitness.com/corporate. You’ll need to enter the USPS corporate ID discount code, which is 106926CORP. Employees who enroll will also receive a […]
Elizabeth Brehm, Anaheim, CA
Mary Sinkfield Leach is a special lady to foster more than 600 children during the past three decades while handling the busy role of a plant manager. […]
Heather Rea, Barberton, OH; Kyndall Caruso, Stoneville, NC
Postal Service employees in Ohio and North Carolina recently noticed signs of trouble while delivering mail. Barberton, OH, Letter Carrier Heather Rea saw mail piling up at the home of an older customer in poor health. Authorities were notified, and emergency responders discovered the woman collapsed on the floor, in dire need of medical attention. […]
Read More… from Heather Rea, Barberton, OH; Kyndall Caruso, Stoneville, NC
Giving helpers a hand
A Postal Service employee who rescued a grandmother and grandson from a raging house fire in Johnstown, PA, received the top hero of the year award from the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) this week. “After hearing everyone’s stories, it’s extremely humbling, and it’s truly an honor,” Letter Carrier Matthew Lamb told the audience […]
Keep the change
A new USPS video shows customers how they can obtain refunds online. “How to Request a Refund” explains that the Postal Service offers a money-back guarantee for Priority Mail Express and a refund for Extra Services. The 1-minute, 40-second segment also explains how residential customers can request refunds through usps.com, while business customers can use […]
Need to know
Supporting service members. The Alaska Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recently honored Alaska District for its commitment to supporting USPS employee service members. Operations Support Acting Manager Tim Bruno and Labor Relations Specialist Peter Neagle accepted the award on the Postal Service’s behalf at a ceremony in Anchorage. The ESGR […]
Tracey Gray, Dayton, OH
I was born in 1961 and actually remember Mr. ZIP. “The list” on ZIP Code facts was interesting. I learned some things. […]
Robert Simper, Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City Letter Carrier Robert Simper knew that a customer on his route was facing medical challenges: The man is a veteran who recently lost a leg to amputation. So when the customer’s mailbox started to fill up soon afterward, Simper wanted to be sure the man was OK. Simper checked on the customer, […]
Capital Metro Area VP Linda Malone
“As a USPS employee, your support is essential in helping to make mail a more valuable and effective communication channel and to maintain the relevancy of mail in today’s highly digital environment.” […]
#HockeyStamps
The Postal Service and Canada Post have announced new stamps that celebrate the history of ice hockey — the fast-paced sport commonly played on frozen ponds and in rinks across North America. PMG Megan J. Brennan and Canada Post President Deepak Chopra will dedicate the new History of Hockey stamps Oct. 20 in Detroit. The […]
Flats screen
The Postal Service has introduced a dashboard that provides analytics and other information on Flats Sequencing Systems (FSS) performance. The FSS Performance Dashboard analyzes 13 months of historical data at 45 sites to provide a detailed analysis of 100 Flats Sequencing Systems. The user-friendly application can track machine operational performance and monitor at-risk indicators to […]
Safety measures
The Postal Service is concluding National Preparedness Month by offering employees a reminder about procedures for dealing with suspicious mail. When handling a mailpiece, pay close attention to its appearance. Note whether it’s lopsided, bulky, stained or has excessive tape or postage. Also, note whether the mailpiece has a return address or if it’s addressed […]
News quiz
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Who said this about National PCC Week: “The Postal Service is investing in technology and infrastructure to enhance our business customers’ experiences.” a) PMG Megan J. Brennan b) Eastern […]
Carlene Hemphill, Demorest, GA
In the story “Ready for action,” Springfield, IL, Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager Michael Winters made a profound statement: “If folks would just keep safety in mind and act responsibly, they wouldn’t put themselves or others in danger.” […]
Jess Clugston, Fort Scott, KS; Timothy Finnell, Huber Heights, OH
Postal Service employees delivering mail in Kansas and Ohio recently came to the aid of customers experiencing emergencies at home. In Fort Scott, KS, City Carrier Assistant Jess Clugston found Joyce Woods stranded on the floor after a fall. Woods had activated her medical alert device, but it didn’t work, so Clugston called 911 and […]
Read More… from Jess Clugston, Fort Scott, KS; Timothy Finnell, Huber Heights, OH
Associate General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Michael Elston
“Being familiar with ethics laws helps us support the Postal Service’s mission with honesty, integrity and impartiality in the spirit of service to others.” […]
Read More… from Associate General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Michael Elston
Daily opportunities
Jim Goodwill believes in empowering employees. The Washington, PA, Postmaster strives to give each of his employees the opportunity to do what he or she does best. “I communicate with all employees daily. I keep them apprised of any developments in USPS and how they directly affect them,” he says. Managers like Goodwill help the […]
Honoring Father Ted
Father Theodore Hesburgh’s many achievements are recalled in a new video that features highlights from the recent USPS stamp dedication in his honor. “We are honoring a man who believed strongly and acted courageously and righteously for worthy causes,” PMG Megan J. Brennan says in the video. Hesburgh was the University of Notre Dame’s longest-serving […]
Safe side
The Postal Service is reminding employees to use the Enterprise Encryption Service (EES) when emailing sensitive information to authorized individuals outside the organization. When emailing sensitive information, follow these steps: Add #sensitive# to the subject line of the email. Attach the necessary documents or zip file. You don’t need to protect documents with a password. […]
Becky Thomas, Tucson, AZ
What a wonderful story about the message in a bottle that traveled almost 500 miles from the Greek Isles to Gaza. In a time when the world can feel harsh and indifferent, it touched my heart to see that there is kindness and connection between human beings. […]
Anthony Alexander, Hayden, AL
Rural Carrier Anthony Alexander recently had a package for a customer in Hayden, AL. As Alexander approached the man’s home, he came out to meet the Postal Service employee and fell down the front steps. Alexander tried to help the customer get up, but the man urged him to call 911 instead. As they waited […]