Latest news with #USPS
CBS News
14 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Two arrested for robbing Colorado postal workers at gunpoint
A man and woman were recently indicted and arrested for holding up mail carriers on the same day last year in Montbello. Christopher Johnson, 35, and Brisa Sierra-Silva, 25, are accused of attempting to rob one mail carrier at gunpoint and successfully robbing another less than 10 blocks away on March 4, 2024. The first incident happened near Bolling Drive and Duluth Court. The second occurred in the 4600 block of Eureka Court. In the days following the robberies, the United States Postal Service offered a $150,000 reward for information about the crimes. It also released video from a neighbor's doorbell camera showing two suspects running toward and entering a white Hyundai Sonata, the getaway car. In a still image taken from surveillance video, two suspects run toward a getaway car on March 4, 2024, after taking part in one of two robberies of mail carriers in Montbello. Brisa Sierra-Silva and Christopher Johnson have been arrested by federal authorities and charged in the case. United State Postal Service The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced the arrests May 23, two days after taking Johnson into custody and the same day Sierra-Silva was re-arrested. Sierra-Silva was initially handcuffed April 25 but missed a court-mandated meeting with a probation officer, thus violating the terms of her release. Sierra-Silva is charged with robbery and attempted robbery. Johnson faces one count of attempted robbery. Both are scheduled for the same jury trial in federal court beginning July 21. There was no information provided by the USPS about any injuries to either USPS worker, or if the advertised reward was paid out. Nor did the federal DA's press release speak to the potential arrests of additional suspects; the doorbell camera video suggests more than two people were involved. In a related matter, a Denver man was sentenced last week for breaking into a Colorado post office three years ago. Zachary Jones, 36, of Denver, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on Thursday. Jones pleaded guilty to prying open a door at the Dacono Post Office on April 5, 2022. According to prosecutors, he stole a computer terminal, laptop, scanner, two printers, one postal service jacket, nine keys, two genuine postal service keys, seven employee personnel files, and one binder containing postal applications. USPS investigators found and confronted Jones a month later. He was in possession of several of the stolen items, plus a handgun. As a previously convicted felon, Jones was not legally permitted to carry a firearm. "Protecting the integrity of the U.S. mail and ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, and its customers is core to the mission of the United State Postal Inspection Service," USPS Denver Division Acting Inspector in Charge Steve Hodges stated in a press release. "This sentencing serves as a reminder that postal inspectors work tirelessly day in and day out to bring to justice those who seek to do harm to the U.S. Postal Service."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
U.S. Postal Service brings awareness to dog bite prevention
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Last year, incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service workers rose by more than 6,000 cases. As part of the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the organization is offering information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of its employees. See a paw print sticker on a mailbox? Why you shouldn't remove it The month-long campaign begins on Sunday, June 1. This year's theme is 'Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.' For those who want to help spread news of the campaign, you can use the hashtag #dogbiteawareness. 'The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely,' USPS employee safety and health awareness manager Leeann Theriault said. 'All dogs – regardless of breed, size or age – have the potential to bite.' 'Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable,' Theriault continued. 'The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is to keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.' Dogs may attack not only to defend their territory, but also when they feel startled, anxious or unwell. It's not just about bad or aggressive dogs – it's about unpredictable moments. Some advice given by USPS to help postal workers is to keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house. If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn't slip out or bust through it unexpectedly. If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash. Never accept mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog. Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child. Mail carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog's territory. Man mauled to death by dogs in California, 1 arrested Mail carriers are trained to: Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard. Never startle a dog. Keep their eyes on any dog. Never assume a dog will not bite. Never attempt to pet or feed a dog Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping. If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog, such as a mail satchel, and to use dog repellent, if necessary. Mail carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes. A dog alert feature on carriers' handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog may interfere with delivery. When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped. Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner's local Post Office. If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail. When a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee. Dogs and cats can also suffer from allergies, but there are ways to help our furry friends By using USPS Informed Delivery, a free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Millions of customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at . This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
USPS lowers overnight shipping prices to take down Fedex, UPS
Remember back in the olden days, circa 2015, when we had to wait six whole days to get our Amazon orders delivered? By 2018, the delivery window had shrunk to a barely tolerable three days (I joke). And today? The average delivery time is closer to two days, according to a 2024 Science Direct report. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The expectations around e-commerce delivery have certainly changed in a short time, and increasingly, plenty of us want our goods delivered on the same day we order them. The demand can be crushing for retailers and carriers, including small businesses that are trying to compete with the Amazons and Walmarts of the world. They're looking for ways to deliver quickly at an affordable cost. The United States Postal Service (USPS) may be a much-maligned institution, often criticized being slow and overpriced, but this time it's trying to be a problem-solver. To meet consumers' expectations, the USPS has quietly launched Priority Mail Next Day, a new service aimed at online retailers and small businesses. The new service allows businesses to get their goods into the hands of their customers within a day. In order for packages to be eligible for the next-day service, the packages (20 pounds or less) have to be delivered to a USPS processing center by 6 p.m. If they arrive after that cutoff, they'll be delivered in two days. Priority Mail Next Day is available by contract only, meaning it's for businesses with an agreement with the USPS. It is currently available in 62 U.S. markets with plans to expand. Related: Major logistics and trucking company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy Despite its limited rollout, USPS officials hinted at nationwide ambitions for Priority Mail Next Day, according to a USPS informational webinar. Since each contract is based on a business's volume, the USPS does not publish shipping rates for the new service. The launch of Priority Mail Next Day highlights the intensifying competition among the "big three" carriers: USPS, FedEx (FEDEX) , and UPS (UPS) . All three are racing to serve the growing needs of e-commerce sellers, particularly in regional and last-mile delivery zones. While FedEx and UPS have long dominated premium overnight shipping, their services often come with complex rate structures, fuel surcharges, and rural delivery fees, all costs that eat into retailer margins. USPS is working to position itself as the simpler and more cost-effective alternative to UPS and FedEx, without frills or complicated fees. The new Priority Mail Next Day is an extension of the USPS Ground Advantage program which launched in 2023 and offers a two- to five-day delivery window. Unlike the new overnight service, anyone can ship via Ground Advantage, no contract required. Both options make USPS attractive to small and mid-sized online retailers that need reliable regional shipping but lack the volume to negotiate steep discounts from FedEx or UPS. More retail: Aldi releases viral Trader Joe's item that is always out of stock Home Depot, Lowe's rivals strategic growth planTrader Joe's making huge mistake not copying Walmart, Target Nearly 70% of consumers say fast shipping influences their decision to complete a purchase, according to Digital Commerce 360, and Capital One Shopping says 80% of consumers expect retailers to offer same-day delivery. This growing expectation is putting increased pressure on retailers and carriers alike, so businesses, including mom-and-pop independent retailers, are constantly searching for shipping solutions that meet customer expectations without breaking their logistics budgets. One issue that is likely to increasingly plague retailers and that no carrier can solve: the faster the delivery time, the more likely the products are to be returned. That's according to a Science Direct study that looked at how shorter delivery times affect returns. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sound Off: May 31, 2025
Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics. It costs 3.69 cents to make a penny. So it seems to be a no-brainer to stop making them, which the U.S. Mint will do next year. I figure that at some point, stores will rounding prices off to 5 cents. When that happens, more nickels dimes and quarters will likely be needed. I will let those versed in probability to calculate how many of each will be needed. If too many nickels are needed it may not be worth getting rid of the penny unless we get rid of the nickel, as well. Why do I say that? Because it costs 13.78 cents to mint a nickel. That makes a penny to look like a bargain. there no problem with the dimes and quarters because they cost 5.76 cents and 14.68 cents respectively to mint. What happened to the Gulfport Connect app where requests for city services are done? My app disappeared and attempts to Download have been unsuccessful. The liberal judicial branch of the U.S. government is setting policy for the executive branch of government. We the people voted for change in foreign trade. Same with immigration. The USPS is not funded by the U.S. taxpayer. Only Congress could change/do away with the post office. It is a 'stand alone' quasi-government entity. It is provided for in the Constitution. Read Article Article 1, Section 8, Clause 7: 'the US Constitution ... grants Congress the power to 'establish Post Offices and Post Roads.' As far as your 'so-called' junk mail complaint: Business pay for the post offices to deliver their 'advertisements,' the same as the spurious ads you see while doing a 'google search.' You can go to the post office and fill out a form to stop the delivery of Bulk Business Mail if you desire to do so. Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned that President Trump's 'deal' Iran might cause a nuclear war. We already had a treaty with Iran, but Trump ended it. Now he's making his own deal. It probably involves a golf course. After reading about TACO trades, all of President Trump's flip-flopping on tariffs is making me hungry. And making the folks on Wall Street rich, apparently. The people have spoken. Elon Musk and his DOGE team have done their work. And now Congress is sitting on its hands. How many more folks to we need to vote out to get something done? Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dog Attacks on Postal Workers Are on the Rise, According to USPS. Last Year There Were More Than 6,000
There were over 6,000 dog attacks on postal workers in 2024, the USPS said, marking a 200-case increase from 2023 California and Los Angeles rank as the top state and city, respectively, with the highest number of incidents The agency released the statistics as part of its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, which kicks off Sunday, June 1 For some letter carriers in California last year, dogs weren't exactly man's best friend. The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced in a press release on Thursday, May 29, that the number of incidents involving dog attacks on the agency's employees rose to over 6,000 in 2024. That is up 200 more cases from 2023. Of the top 10 states with the greatest number of dog bites towards postal workers in 2024, California was ranked first with 701. That was followed by Texas with 438, Ohio with 350, Illinois with 344, New York with 322, Pennsylvania with 316, Michigan with 231, Florida with 210, Missouri with 207 and North Carolina with 169. Meanwhile, Los Angeles led the top American cities with the most dog bites at 77, according to the USPS. Coming in second was Houston with 65, and followed by Chicago with 57; St. Louis with 47; Cincinnati with 44; Dallas with 43; Kansas City and Cleveland tied with 40; San Diego with 35; Denver with 34; and San Antonio and Philadelphia tied with 32. The latest statistics coincide with the Postal Service's National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign that will begin on Sunday, June 1, with the theme, 'Don't let your dog bite the hand that serves you.' As part of the campaign, the agency is offering tips to dog owners on how to control their pets when a letter carrier approaches to deliver mail to their residence. The tips include keeping canines inside the home or behind a fence, away from the door or another room, and on a leash. The USPS also recommends that children do not take the mail directly from the letter carrier since the dog may interpret the carrier as a threat to the child. Canine attacks on postal employees can cost owners thousands of dollars, according to the agency, in terms of "medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering" for the worker. The USPS also stated that their letter carriers are trained when it comes to observing dogs in an area and being aware of a potentially dangerous situation. Among the things they've learned include not startling a dog, keeping their eyes on the animal and not attempting to pet or feed it. Mail service could also be stopped if the letter carrier feels unsafe around a dangerous dog on the route, added the USPS, which means the dog owner's mail would have to be picked up at their local post office. If the issue is not resolved, then the dog owner may have to rent a post office box to continue receiving mail. 'Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable,' Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in the press release. "The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Last November, two letter carriers in the Dedham area of Massachusetts were attacked by canines in separate incidents as they were delivering the mail. 'Both Adam and Jeanette are back to work, and we commend their healing strengths, positive attitudes and commitments to their jobs,' Dedham Animal Control said in a statement at the time, as reported by Fox affiliate WFXT. 'Both of these incidents were preventable and neither was the fault of the Letter Carrier.' In 2022, Pamela Jane Rock, a Florida postal worker, died after she was attacked by five dogs when her postal vehicle broke down while on the job. Authorities said that Rock, 61, was waiting for help with her vehicle when the dogs broke through a fence, escaped and mauled her, NBC News reported. Read the original article on People
