INSIDER
Houston business owner faces USPS delivery delay for 2nd time in less than 30 days
Read full article: Houston business owner faces USPS delivery delay for 2nd time in less than 30 daysJust weeks after finally receiving a $10,000 check that took over two months to arrive, Bell is now waiting on another crucial payment, this time from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Authorities offering up to $100K for information on Houston mail theft
Read full article: Authorities offering up to $100K for information on Houston mail theftOfficials are offering a steep reward for information on the two suspects involved in a sizable mail heist at a Houston apartment complex last month.
‘Beyond a joke:’ KPRC 2 viewers still dealing with ongoing postal delays share frustrations
Read full article: ‘Beyond a joke:’ KPRC 2 viewers still dealing with ongoing postal delays share frustrationsFrom lost birthday cards to cashiers’ checks stuck in limbo, the complaints are growing louder as postal service issues persist.
KPRC 2 examines USPS efficiency with real-time package tracking experiment
Read full article: KPRC 2 examines USPS efficiency with real-time package tracking experimentIn May, our Re'Chelle Turner was invited to the USPS Local Processing Center in Missouri City for an inside look at the new equipment and technology to improve mail delivery. However, in recent months, problems have resurfaced.
Houston small business owner faces major setbacks costing thousands of dollars due to ongoing mail delivery delays
Read full article: Houston small business owner faces major setbacks costing thousands of dollars due to ongoing mail delivery delaysZephra Bell, who recently launched her notary public business, shared her frustration over missing mail and inconsistent deliveries in her Southeast Houston neighborhood.
‘Not surprised but greatly disappointed’: Congressmen address ongoing USPS issues in Missouri City
Read full article: ‘Not surprised but greatly disappointed’: Congressmen address ongoing USPS issues in Missouri CitySince January of this year, we have been reporting on issues at the USPS sorting facility in Missouri City.
Houston area postal worker accused of stealing cash and gift cards from mail
Read full article: Houston area postal worker accused of stealing cash and gift cards from mailA 35-year-old Houston postal worker, Laura Aguirre, has admitted to stealing cash and gift cards from customers' mail, totaling at least $2,500. Aguirre faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Nov. 1.
Up to $100K reward offered to find Houston mail thief caught on camera, suspected of targeting several locations
Read full article: Up to $100K reward offered to find Houston mail thief caught on camera, suspected of targeting several locationsInvestigators at the United Postal Inspection Service say Justin P. Hearne is suspected of stealing mail from several Houston locations and is wanted for questioning with previous mail thefts around the city.
USPS South Houston Processing Center in Missouri City upgrades sorting equipment; invites Re’Chelle Turner on a tour
Read full article: USPS South Houston Processing Center in Missouri City upgrades sorting equipment; invites Re’Chelle Turner on a tourOn Thursday, The USPS invited Turner to the South Houston Local Processing Center (LPC) located at 611 Hwy. 90 A in Missouri City, TX 77489 for a tour. She will get a behind-the-scenes view of the new processing facility. It includes new technology such as high-speed sorting equipment.
‘It’s a big deal’: HOA’s persistence pays off as damaged cluster mailbox gets replaced
Read full article: ‘It’s a big deal’: HOA’s persistence pays off as damaged cluster mailbox gets replacedFor nearly a year, some homeowners at the Windsong neighborhood in West Harris County had to drive roughly a mile to the post office to pick up their mail. The cluster mailbox they used was damaged and postal workers wouldn’t deliver their mail worried someone could steal it.
Houston couple says they never received mail in-ballot; blames Postal Service for the problem
Read full article: Houston couple says they never received mail in-ballot; blames Postal Service for the problemA Houston couple says they never received their mail-in ballots and blames the Postal Service for the problem.
FBI investigates after letter with white powder sent to House Speaker Johnson's Louisiana church
Read full article: FBI investigates after letter with white powder sent to House Speaker Johnson's Louisiana churchAuthorities have launched an investigation after a north Louisiana church attended by House Speaker Mike Johnson received mail containing a white powder.
Cinco Ranch residents frustrated after mailboxes broken into again, officials call on congressman’s help
Read full article: Cinco Ranch residents frustrated after mailboxes broken into again, officials call on congressman’s helpOfficials say mailbox thefts are on the rise in Fort Bend County. One community is reporting their most recent incident early Friday morning.
Mail issues? Here’s a way to track incoming deliveries for free
Read full article: Mail issues? Here’s a way to track incoming deliveries for freeWith problems regarding mail thefts all over the news recently, there is a way you can track your incoming deliveries for free that could cut down on some of the issues.
Missing mail and package delays continue to cause problems for people in the Houston area
Read full article: Missing mail and package delays continue to cause problems for people in the Houston areaWe are still working to get answers from the United States Postal Service about missing mail and package delays from a north Houston-area processing center.
Woman says her dad hasn’t received his heart medication as USPS mail issues at Missouri City processing center continue
Read full article: Woman says her dad hasn’t received his heart medication as USPS mail issues at Missouri City processing center continueSeveral Houstonians are still upset after not receiving their mail due to problems tied to the new Missouri City Processing Center. According to United States Rep. Al Green (D-Houston), actions are being taken to resolve the issues, however, several people said they still have not received their important packages.
Santa never came: Several Missouri City residents still missing packages ordered before Christmas
Read full article: Santa never came: Several Missouri City residents still missing packages ordered before ChristmasServal customers have reached out to KPRC 2 saying they have not received their packages that include medication, Christmas gifts, passports and other needs.
Mail delivery paused at Pasadena complex where residents say management refuses to fix broken mailboxes
Read full article: Mail delivery paused at Pasadena complex where residents say management refuses to fix broken mailboxesEvery day, millions of Americans look forward to getting mail. Whether it be a postcard, a social security check, or even bills. It’s something many people assume to be a given.
Want your holiday packages to arrive on time? Check this list of shipping deadlines
Read full article: Want your holiday packages to arrive on time? Check this list of shipping deadlinesTo assist customers with their preparations for the upcoming busy holiday shopping and shipping season, the U.S. Postal Service provided a 2023 holiday shipping and mailing deadlines list.
‘Return To Sender’: Copperfield homeowners stuck in feud between USPS and HOA over mailbox damaged in car accident
Read full article: ‘Return To Sender’: Copperfield homeowners stuck in feud between USPS and HOA over mailbox damaged in car accidentHomeowners in a Copperfield neighborhood said they’re caught in the middle of a dispute with their homeowner’s association and the United States Postal Service over who is responsible for replacing their damaged cluster mailbox.
Homeowners frustrated after USPS, HOA refuse to fix damaged mailboxes in Copperfield neighborhood
Read full article: Homeowners frustrated after USPS, HOA refuse to fix damaged mailboxes in Copperfield neighborhoodSome homeowners in Copperfield say neither their homeowner’s association nor the postal service will replace their mailboxes after a driver damaged them beyond repair last week.
KPRC 2 Investigates update: Huge mail theft issue in Houston area sparks new investigation team
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates update: Huge mail theft issue in Houston area sparks new investigation teamMail theft has become so rampant in Houston. The United States Postal Inspection Service has created a Houston mail theft jump team to investigate and try to stop the theft of mail and robberies of mail carriers. Our KPRC 2 Investigates team first exposed this problem back in May and has new numbers on the troubling crime.
Audit report on USPS claims delayed mail was due to management oversight
Read full article: Audit report on USPS claims delayed mail was due to management oversightBack in June 2021, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher asked for an investigation into post offices in her district after residents who live on the west and southwest side of Houston filed more than 300 complaints.
KPRC 2 Investigates cluster mailbox mess: No mail delivery for months in one neighborhood
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates cluster mailbox mess: No mail delivery for months in one neighborhoodCluster mailboxes break through normal wear and tear or they're vandalized and need repair. In the past, in a lot of communities, the postal service repaired or replaced them. But now USPS is passing that burden on to customers, but they're not being very clear about it. KPRC 2 Investigates is getting answers.
‘Unacceptable for Houston region’: Lawmakers demand answers after audit reveals mail delays continue to plague north Houston postal facility
Read full article: ‘Unacceptable for Houston region’: Lawmakers demand answers after audit reveals mail delays continue to plague north Houston postal facilitySince before the start of the pandemic, many of you have complained about not getting your mail on time.
Congresswoman calls for investigation into 3 Houston area post offices after reports of stolen, lost mail
Read full article: Congresswoman calls for investigation into 3 Houston area post offices after reports of stolen, lost mailCongresswoman Lizzie Fletcher is asking for an investigation into three local post offices after raising concerns about mail theft and mail service in the Houston area.
5 men indicted on multiple federal charges in connection with mail theft scheme in Fort Bend County, Houston
Read full article: 5 men indicted on multiple federal charges in connection with mail theft scheme in Fort Bend County, Houston(AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)HOUSTON – A federal grand jury in Houston indicted five men in a mail theft scheme, federal authorities announced Wednesday. Federal authorities described them all as Honduran nationals and noted that all but Camey were illegally residing in Houston. The 17-count indictment alleges multiple mail thefts throughout the Houston area beginning in mid-2019 and continuing through the end of 2020. Federal authorities said the conspirators would look for checks within the stolen mail and alter them to deposit into accounts the conspirators controlled. AdIf convicted, the defendants face up to 30 years in prison for the conspiracy and bank fraud counts and five years if convicted of the mail theft.
Shipping deadlines: This is when you need to send your packages for arrival by Christmas
Read full article: Shipping deadlines: This is when you need to send your packages for arrival by ChristmasWith the coronavirus pandemic altering lots of holiday plans this year, shippers are preparing for a significant increase in the number of packages that will need to be delivered. Here are the shipping deadlines you need to know if you want your packages to arrive by Dec. 25. Postal ServiceFor the lower 48 states:Dec. 15 -- Retail Ground ServiceDec. 18 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 19 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 23 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceFor Alaska:Dec. 18 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 19 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 21 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceFor Hawaii:Dec. 15 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 15 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 21 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceClick here for international shipping deadlines for USPS. FedExDec. 9 -- FedEx Smart PostDec. 15 -- FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx GroundDec. 21 -- FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 3Day FreightDec. 22 -- FedEx 2Day, FedEx 2Day A.M., FedEx 2Day FreightDec. 23 -- FedEx 1Day Freight, FedEx Extra Hours, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx First OvernightDec. 25 -- FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Priority, FedEx SameDay City DirectClick here for international shipping deadlines for FedEx. UPSDec. 15 -- UPS GroundDec. 21 -- UPS 3 Day SelectDec. 22 -- UPS 2nd Day AirDec. 23 -- UPS Next Day AirDec. 25 -- UPS is closed, but UPS Express Critical is availableShipments to certain destinations may require an earlier ship date.
Houston man arrested on mail theft charges after more than 100 pieces of mail found during traffic stop, feds say
Read full article: Houston man arrested on mail theft charges after more than 100 pieces of mail found during traffic stop, feds sayAll rights reserved)HOUSTON – A 24-year-old Houston man has been arrested on charges of mail theft, federal authorities announced Monday. In a news release, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick’s office, citing a complaint, said local authorities conducted a traffic stop on Nov. 5 which led to a search of Rosario’s vehicle. Inside, law enforcement found over 100 pieces of unopened and opened mail in the names of others, federal authorities said. An inventory of the mail pieces revealed letters, financial checks as well as an unopened mail-in ballot for the State of Washington, according to the charges. Federal authorities said law enforcement immediately forwarded the ballot to election authorities in Washington.
Houston woman has no idea where mountain of shipping boxes are coming from
Read full article: Houston woman has no idea where mountain of shipping boxes are coming fromHOUSTON – Katherine Green has a small mountain of shipping boxes growing inside her home, and she has no idea why they’re being sent. 22 of those packages are shipping boxes with 25 items each. “I got labels another week, then I got a couple of more little smaller packages the next week,” said Green. Postal Service several times to let them know she never ordered the boxes. “But they were not going to pick it up.”The packages are coming from a third-party contractor that delivers for the postal service.
Inspectors on the hunt for thief targeting northwest Harris County residents' mail
Read full article: Inspectors on the hunt for thief targeting northwest Harris County residents' mailHARRIS COUNTY, Texas – No one has a good feeling after a string of mail thefts in the northwest Harris County neighborhoods of Canyon Lakes at Stonegate, Towne Lake, and Stone Gate near Cypress. Someone has been using a device and breaking into the neighborhoods' mailboxes for the past several weeks. Murtaza Surtarwala snapped a picture a couple of weeks ago driving his son to school. “As soon as I saw that I had a feeling that somebody maybe had stolen something from the mailbox,” said Surtarwala. “We try to go out of our way to make sure that we send tracking numbers,” said Sutarwala.
Lost mail? What we found when we put the Houston area mail service to the test
Read full article: Lost mail? What we found when we put the Houston area mail service to the testHOUSTON – With concerns about mail delivery issues ahead of the election, our KPRC Investigates team put the United States Postal Service in Houston to the test. Mail service put to the testTo find out how common problems are we set up our own test. We sent letters to Southwest Houston, Kingwood, Missouri City, Tomball, West Houston, North Houston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Galveston, Liberty County, and Montgomery County. While no one at the postal service would talk to us about delivery issues, we did some digging and found out some interesting information about mail delivery timing. If you are having issues with your mail delivery, you should report it to the United States Postal Service.
Ask 2: I am over 65 years old and have voted by mail in previous elections. Will I automatically receive a ballot or need I reapply?
Read full article: Ask 2: I am over 65 years old and have voted by mail in previous elections. Will I automatically receive a ballot or need I reapply?Question: I am over 65 years old and have voted by mail in previous elections. Will I automatically receive a ballot or need I reapply? Answer: Voters who are 65 years of age or older can apply for an annual ballot, meaning their Vote by Mail option will be registered for the entire calendar year. Voters who opt for this option will need to reapply each calendar year for an annual Vote by Mail ballot. Ballot by mail applications must be received by the Harris County Clerk’s Office no later than Friday, October 23.
Harris County reports record number of votes by mail for primary runoff
Read full article: Harris County reports record number of votes by mail for primary runoffHOUSTON – The Harris County Clerk’s Office reported Monday that they’ve hit a record number of votes by mail for a primary runoff election. In the first week, a total of 79,818 voters cast their ballots. The number of mail ballots has increased due to a surge in voters 65 years of age and older who are opting to vote from home. It’s important to note that in early June, the County Clerk’s Office sent mail ballot applications to every registered voter aged 65 and up in Harris County due to concerns related to COVID-19. Voters who are not able to vote by mail should take advantage of the last few days of early voting,” Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins is quoted as saying in a news release.
On this 50th anniversary for the USPS, mail a letter to a friend
Read full article: On this 50th anniversary for the USPS, mail a letter to a friendFifty years ago, the former Post Office Department changed over and became the United States Postal Service. Postal Service, as we know it now, has only been around since 1970? Energized by the Civil Rights Movement, postal workers in New York went on strike, and the movement eventually swelled across the country. Previously, letters were taken to a Post Office, where employees would note the postage due (or paid) in the upper right corner. Postal Service stands financially, perhaps we do have to consider, what if the mail goes away someday?
Mail carrier delivers his own celebration to the 2020 graduates on his route
Read full article: Mail carrier delivers his own celebration to the 2020 graduates on his routeHigh school graduates on Joshua Crowell's mail route in New Hampshire are finding special letters in their mailboxes. His effort is among the many ways people are trying to make high school graduation special during the coronavirus pandemic. On Saturday, for example, celebrities and even former presidents came together to honor them with CNN's "Class of 2020: In This Together" and LeBron James' "Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020." Crowell has delivered 25 of the graduation cards so far, and said he is just getting started. US Postal Service worker Joshua Crowell has a selection of signed cards for this year's graduating class.
An 11-year-old wrote a thank-you note to her mailman. Postal workers are sending her letters of appreciation
Read full article: An 11-year-old wrote a thank-you note to her mailman. Postal workers are sending her letters of appreciationSo, the fifth-grader decided to ramp up her letter writing. Emerson, who already wrote an average five to 10 letters per week, opted to drop an extra note to her own mailman. In return, she's gotten dozens of letters, a sign of how important human connection is during the pandemic, said her dad, who shared the story in a Twitter thread. Now, Emerson is writing up to 25 letters each week to respond to her new postal pen pals. "Writing letters is just very helpful to feel like I can still be around people."
Free USPS program will alert you when your stimulus check is coming
Read full article: Free USPS program will alert you when your stimulus check is comingPostal Service offers a free service that can help. If you get a picture of an IRS envelope, you know it is likely your stimulus check. If their Informed Delivery notification shows you only received junk mail, there’s no need to go out and pick it up. Once you sign up, the USPS says it typically takes about three business days to start receiving those notification emails. Not every address is eligible for Informed Delivery.
Postal worker paid for storage to hide mail he couldn’t ‘make time’ to deliver, officials say
Read full article: Postal worker paid for storage to hide mail he couldn’t ‘make time’ to deliver, officials sayPostal Service worker from Virginia admitted to officials that he was renting a storage unit to hide thousands of pieces of mail he could not “make time” to deliver, federal authorities said. Jason Delacruz told agents with the Office of Inspector General that he felt “pressured” to deliver the mail but couldn’t “make time” to finish his route. The mailman came under investigation by agents after a complaint stated Delacruz was seen unloading his USPS truck at a storage unit. Court documents reveal that Delacruz began to hide mail in late 2018. Delacruz said he rented the $49-per-month storage unit “for the sole purpose of storing mail he could not deliver.”According to agents, Delacruz had intentions to deliver the mail but couldn’t catch up and was not able to do so.
USPS packages, letters found strewn across freeway in Liberty County
Read full article: USPS packages, letters found strewn across freeway in Liberty CountyHOUSTON – Dozens of packages and letters were dumped on the side of the freeway Monday night in Liberty County. Postal metal crates lying in the middle of the freeway. Witnesses say the postal driver did not stop when the crates fell off. Postal inspectors were called, and then deputies put the mail back into the containers and called a wrecker to haul it away. We can confirm that a contract driver did experience an incident where some mail fell from a trailer, but all mail was quickly retrieved, secured and taken to the N. Houston Processing and Distribution facility for processing.”