Tuesday, August 23, 2011

USPS takes 25 Alaska post offices off its possible-closure list; all are off the road system

The U.S. Postal Service has spared 25 Alaska post offices from closure, at least for now, removing them from the list of more than 3,500 that may be shut this year as part of the service's effort to reduce its multi-billion-dollar deficits.

The move doesn't necessarily offer hope for threatened post offices in other states, because, as is so often true, Alaska is a special case. All 25 spared offices are off the road system, reports Andrew Sheeler of the Fairbanks News-Miner. Another 11 in the state remain on the list.

U.S. Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski had voiced concerns about the impact of post-office closings. "Murkowski noted many of the communities are dependent on their post office for more than just mail," Sheeler writes. "Such needs run the range from medicine to absentee ballots, as well as groceries and supplies." (Read more)

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