Linda Goalder, Scottsburg, OR
I liked “Heart of the matter,” the story about Ruben Hernandez, the Fresno, CA, letter carrier who used accumulated sick leave while recovering from a heart attack. The article showed he’s an excellent worker. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
Ring of fire
Letter Carrier Daniel Colon was delivering mail in Damascus, MD, on a weekday in May when he spotted a vehicle on fire in customer Kani Bassey’s driveway. With flames spreading to the garage, Colon rushed to the front door and rang the Wi-Fi video doorbell as he heard dogs barking inside the home. After connecting […]
Flying high
The Postal Service’s release of a stamp honoring former President George H.W. Bush in June brought back a lot of memories for one retail associate in Maricopa, AZ. Bush, who served as the 41st president from 1989-1993, died last fall at age 94. During his time in office, Randall “Buck” Brawner was serving in the […]
Buy bye
The Postal Service is planning to introduce a new version of its eBuy purchasing system. The new system — eBuy Plus — will be available in February 2020. Optimized for the latest internet browsers, eBuy Plus will feature an intuitive interface, advanced reporting tools and updated search engine capabilities designed to improve the user experience. […]
Dedicated dogs
Labrador retrievers’ keen ability to find things are put to good use in the U.S. armed forces, a new Postal Service video shows. The dogs have a highly evolved sense of smell, which makes them good at detecting drugs, explosives and people. “These dogs are definitely bred to work, so what we do here is […]
Opportunity knocks
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. The Postal Service will hold a career conference from Aug. 17-18 for employees interested in jobs at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. Where will the conference take place? a) […]
Doris Burchett, Willard, KY
The “Sunny days” article reminded me of my youngest daughter with her eyes glued to the TV watching her favorite character, Elmo. I hope that when she has children, they’ll watch “Sesame Street” and enjoy all the characters she grew up with. […]
Down and outside
Rural Carrier Associate Courtney Willigar was recently delivering mail on an isolated dead-end road in Monticello, ME, when she spotted an older customer who had fallen outside his home. The man was being assisted by his sister, who was struggling to get him on his feet. Willigar stopped to help the duo, and with her […]
No endorsements
USPS wants employees to remember the rules on endorsing non-postal products, services and business endeavors. Due to the nature of the Postal Service’s business, private organizations might seek to further their interests by requesting an endorsement from a USPS employee. However, under federal ethics guidelines, these types of endorsements aren’t permitted. The rules state that […]
Combat canines
A new Postal Service video shows how Dutch shepherd dogs help members of the U.S. armed forces complete a variety of missions. The dogs offer superior bomb detection and patrol capabilities. “They’re known as a reliable dog [and] are intelligent and active. They just want to please their handler,” Air Force Staff Sgt. Angel Flores […]
A year and change
Here’s a look back at 1969, a year packed with pivotal events — including a few that inspired recent stamp releases. 1. We said hello to one president and goodbye to two others. Richard Nixon was sworn in as president Jan. 20, succeeding Lyndon Johnson. Dwight Eisenhower, who served as president from 1953-1961, died March […]
World-class service
Millions of Americans are vacationing around the world this summer — and more than a few of those trips were made possible by the Postal Service. USPS accepts millions of passport applications each year, making passports an important part of the organization’s efforts to grow revenue. Post Offices accepted more than 6.8 million passport applications […]
Heart smart
Postal Support Employee Debra Carver and Letter Carrier Jeffrey King were recently on duty in Louisville, KY, when a colleague, Rural Carrier Gary Curlee, collapsed. While 911 was called, Carver, King and others rushed to the scene to aid Curlee, who had gone into cardiac arrest. Carver and King performed CPR on Curlee until paramedics […]
Renea Puckett, Fayetteville, NC
I ordered a cheesecake from The Furlough Cheesecake, which was profiled in “Slice of success.” Let me tell you: It was the best cheesecake I’ve ever eaten. I’m so glad the company ships with USPS. […]
Soldiering on
After former President George H.W. Bush died last year at 94, his devoted service dog, Sully, captured hearts worldwide when he was photographed lying beside Bush’s casket. Though a family spokesman described the scene with the poignant words “mission complete,” Sully’s career is far from over. In fact, the yellow Labrador, around 3 years old, […]
Got ID?
The Postal Service recently updated the list of acceptable forms of identification that customers must show for picking up various types of mail and applying for other services. The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) now features a section, 608.10.0, Forms of Identification, that details acceptable forms of ID. The update clarifies previous guidance for identification that […]
‘Street’ stories
The recent Sesame Street stamp dedication ceremony is highlighted in a new Postal Service video. The 1-minute, 17-second video features remarks from Ed Wells, senior vice president of international media and education for Sesame Workshop, the organization that produces “Sesame Street.” “Our mission is to help children grow smarter, stronger and kinder, and we’ve been […]
Big picture
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. Which image on the Wild and Scenic Rivers stamp pane was not taken by photographer Bob Wick? a) Clarion River b) Deschutes River c) Flathead River d) Missouri River […]
Anita Miller, Denver, CO
Good for Bill Vance, the Gowanda, NY, substitute rural carrier highlighted in “Mr. Dependable” who is celebrating 45 years with the Postal Service. The photo of Vance recalls a time when carriers were known for dressing sharply. […]
Cane and able
Letter Carrier Paige Klenk was recently delivering mail to a customer’s home in Marion, IA, when she noticed something unusual: a walking cane sticking out of the front door. Klenk called out to the customer, who had fallen at the doorway several hours earlier and had been unable to dislodge the cane when the door […]
Behind the music
To help mark the release of the Woodstock stamp this week, here are six facts about the landmark 1969 music festival. 1. A dairy farmer saved Woodstock. Festival producers planned to hold the event in Wallkill, NY — near the town of Woodstock, NY — but Wallkill officials changed their minds and passed a law […]
Pledging allegiance
Inderpreet “Indy” Gill recently recited a long-awaited oath to fulfill her dream of U.S. citizenship. The Albany, NY, retail associate became a citizen in the spring after leaving her home in India several years ago to start a new life. “I wanted to jump up and down,” Gill said of becoming a citizen. The freedom […]
HQ jobs
The Postal Service will host a career conference this month to allow employees to learn about job opportunities at USPS headquarters and in the field. The conference, the first of its kind, will be held from Saturday, Aug. 17-Sunday, Aug. 18, at the National Center for Employee Development in Norman, OK. The two-day meeting is […]
Gurcharan Sachdeva, Austin, TX
The “By his side” article about Mail Processing Clerk Frank Facio, who is blind, and his service dog, Garfunkel, was very well written. It’s a reminder that if you have the willpower and determination, you can overcome all obstacles. […]
‘He was so grateful’
Rural Carrier Laurance Lawrence was recently servicing a neighborhood delivery and collection box unit at an apartment complex in Lewiston, ME, when a customer collapsed nearby. Lawrence rushed to the man’s side, carried him to his apartment and called 911. Paramedics soon arrived and took the customer to a hospital. Local Officer in Charge Don […]
Shifting gears
The Postal Service is accelerating the use of data-driven analytics to drive results. Mail Condition Visualization (MCV) is the latest super-charged module from Informed Visibility designed to improve operations and enhance mail visibility. MCV is now the organization’s official system of record for mail processing conditions. It replaces the Mail Condition Reporting System (webMCRS), which […]
Peak praise
Teamwork award. The Postal Service recently recognized the team of employees who oversaw communications for last year’s peak delivery season. The team managed the USPS Holiday Newsroom site and produced news releases, media advisories, newsletter articles and other materials that helped inform journalists, employees and others about the organization’s peak season efforts. USPS presented the […]
Fair game
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. Fill in the blank: USPS dedicated the State and County Fairs stamps at the (blank) State Fair. a) North Carolina b) North Dakota c) South Carolina d) South Dakota […]
Aqua man
Bob Wick shot three of the photographs featured on the Postal Service’s new Wild and Scenic Rivers stamp pane. “They’re my smallest enlargements but my biggest thrill,” he said. Wick, a California-based wilderness specialist for the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), said having his work featured on stamps is “different than having an image […]
Shelly Putman, Paul’s Valley, OK
I really enjoyed “Lunar knowledge,” the edition of “The List” that highlighted seven tidbits about the moon. […]