Abbi Tucker, Pickens, OK
The “Write brothers” story about the newly discovered World War II letters would make a good movie. […]
Katie Howard
Posts by Katie Howard
Keeping track
The Postal Service has added package tracking information to the emails that Informed Delivery users receive. The tracking information appears below the letter-size mailpiece images in the “daily digest” emails. This information is also available on the Informed Delivery online dashboard and app. In addition to tracking packages through Informed Delivery, users can leave delivery […]
Need to know
Santa’s big helper. A Truckee, CA, customer recently spent $15,000 granting kids’ holiday wishes through Operation Santa. “I couldn’t think of a better thing to do than to answer a letter to Santa Claus,” said Ryan Wood, who “adopted” 35 letters, fulfilling the wishes of 150 children in need. Wood assembled a group of volunteers […]
Home stretch
It’s almost over. The Postal Service’s busiest period of the holiday season will conclude this weekend. USPS is on track to process and deliver nearly 200 million packages from Dec. 18-24, along with almost 3 billion greeting cards and other First-Class Mail pieces. This week’s totals include an estimated 6 million packages that will be […]
James Wiley, Yucaipa, CA
The “Write brothers” story is a prime example of why letter writing is so important. If the brothers had exchanged e-mails or text messages instead of handwritten letters, their stories would have been lost forever. […]
Patricia Matney, Rock, WV
When Rock, WV, Rural Carrier Patricia Matney recently rushed to the aid of a riding lawn mower accident victim, she was helping not only a customer, but a Postal Service colleague. Matney was delivering mail at the man’s residence when she saw that he was trapped beneath an overturned mower with smoke pouring from it. […]
The greet goes on
Thomas Jasak and his wife recently continued one of their favorite holiday traditions: mailing Christmas cards — 125 in all — to their friends and relatives. “It’s important to us because it’s nice to keep in touch with people to let them know we’re thinking of them,” said Jasak, a Vaucluse, SC, retail associate. Although […]
Peak productivity
The Postal Service’s network distribution centers are playing a key role in moving packages this holiday season. The 21 centers, located across the nation, help process a variety of mailpieces — including bulk shipments that arrive from major retailers fulfilling customers’ holiday orders. “What fuels the engines of these systems is scanning,” said Joseph Kielbasa, […]
Need to know
Holidays with Hizzoner. Letter Carrier Ryan Grimley was doing collections in New York City last week when he spotted Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, walking along Sixth Avenue. To get the mayor’s attention, Grimley called out his first name: “Bill!” “That’s Mayor Bill!” de Blasio replied with a chuckle. Grimley asked […]
Stephanie Schuelke, Jackson, WI
Keep those news quizzes coming. They are interactive and engaging. […]
Daniel Grubic, Glenshaw, PA
Letter Carrier Daniel Grubic was recently delivering mail in a Glenshaw, PA, neighborhood when he smelled smoke. The concerned employee soon spotted the source: It was billowing from a home’s dryer vent. Grubic rushed to the front door and knocked while calling 911. A customer came to the door with his dog — both disoriented […]
Returning the favor
Bernice Redden has witnessed firsthand the power of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The Clearwater, FL, customer services supervisor credits several CFC charities with helping her son, Adrian, learn to walk after he was born with cerebral palsy in 1984. “His limbs were so tight he couldn’t use them that well,” she said. Adrian had […]
Safe route
The Postal Inspection Service is offering letter carriers and other employees some safety tips for the holiday delivery season: • Avoid becoming a target. Don’t display mobile phones or other electronic devices while on your route. Avoid wearing jewelry and minimize the amount of cash you carry. • Stay alert. Don’t wear headphones so you […]
Closing soon
If you want to change your health benefits or enroll in a new plan, you must act now. The annual open season benefits enrollment period ends Monday, Dec. 11, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This is the last chance most employees will have until next November to consider new options. Employees can choose from a variety of […]
Need to know
Mary’s melody. The gun-toting mail pioneer known as “Stagecoach Mary” now has her own song. Mary Fields (1832-1914), the nation’s first known African-American woman mail carrier, is immortalized in a song on the new album “Songs for Extraordinary People” by Michael Hearst. Hearst’s songs are dedicated to the well-known and lesser-known people whose lives he […]
Andrea Johnson, Columbia, SC
John Lawless, the USPS employee who became a viral video star, epitomizes the quote, “Dance like no one is watching.” Thanks for the smile, John. […]
Charlie Bradford, New Orleans
Letter Carrier Charlie Bradford was recently delivering mail in New Orleans when his day was disrupted by an SUV speeding in the wrong direction on a one-way street. The SUV crashed into several parked vehicles before coming to a stop, with the driver trapped inside. The man kicked out a window but couldn’t extricate himself, […]
Alzheimer’s awareness
USPS dedicated its Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp Nov. 30 in Baltimore. “The Postal Service is proud to issue this stamp today to help raise public awareness of Alzheimer’s,” said PMG Megan J. Brennan, who led the dedication ceremony. “Proceeds from its sale will help support urgently needed medical research into this incredibly debilitating disease.” More than […]
All together
In a new video message, PMG Megan J. Brennan and the leaders of the postal unions and management associations discuss the value of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). “Through the Combined Federal Campaign, we have the ability to reach out to thousands of charitable organizations across the country and have a positive impact on millions […]
Back to school
USPS has introduced Analytics University, an educational platform designed to train employees to use existing data to solve problems and boost performance. The program, which consists of virtual courses and tutorials, is part of the Postal Service’s broader emphasis on using data to make informed business decisions and improve efficiency. “Analytics University enables employees to […]
Need to know
All’s fair. USPS employees can participate in a live chat with benefits experts Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. EST. The chat is part of an online virtual benefits fair that is occurring throughout this year’s open season, which runs from Nov. 13-Dec. 11. The fair offers information about the Federal Employees Health Benefits […]
Joe Dawson, Jacksonville, FL
Letter Carrier Joe Dawson was delivering mail recently in a Jacksonville, FL, neighborhood, exchanging pleasantries with a longtime resident at the man’s mailbox, when a toddler nearby took off toward trouble. The child, who had been walking on the residential street with an adult, bolted onto a busy road — known for a blind curve, […]
Steven Frankel, Albuquerque, NM
Thanks for the recent Veterans Day coverage. My dad was a World War II vet, and I’m proud to work alongside colleagues who are military veterans. […]
Past life
Kenneth Race remembers a lot from his years working inside a Railway Post Office (RPO). Race, who served as a clerk on a Chicago-to-St. Louis route 60 years ago, has fond memories of traveling the rails. “I was happy to get a job with the Postal Service because the pay was good and I was […]
Let’s compare
Postal Service employees can compare health plans during this year’s open season using Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans. Checkbook has information about all plans available through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The comparison tool can help you find the right health plan for you and your family. Information on prescription drugs and dental and […]
Game on
Talk about an early bird. Des Moines, IA, Postmaster Adam Griswold recently became the first employee to recruit a new business customer to attend next year’s National Postal Forum (NPF). NPF — which features educational workshops, presentations from USPS executives and networking opportunities — is the mailing industry’s largest annual conference. The 2018 meeting will […]
Need to know
Your time is valuable. This year, USPS employees can pledge volunteer hours to their favorite Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charities. Employees can use the online pledge portal to donate money, as well as to pledge their time to an organization in need. To find a CFC charity that accepts pledges, visit the portal and filter […]
Need to know
Flag notice. President Trump has ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the Nov. 5 mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, TX. Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset Nov. 9. To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and then […]
Good as gold
It was a moment 50 years in the making. Friends and co-workers recently gathered at the Hartford, CT, Processing and Distribution Center to celebrate Gene Herrington’s golden anniversary as a federal employee. Herrington served in the Air Force from 1967-1971, then began his postal career — just days after the Post Office Department became USPS. […]
Sandra Greene, Waukesha, WI
Suzette Reed’s story is very inspirational. I’ve had multiple surgeries, including one that I’m still recuperating from. I was going to accept that I’ll never have the same strength that I did before the surgery, but this story gave me the motivation to at least try. […]