Area Post Offices to See Reduced Operating Hours (ADD'L INFO FOR MONTROSE)

Some area post offices will have fewer operating hours by the end of January as the US Postal Service attempts to cut costs.

The reduced hours of operation at the Dieterich, Montrose and Sigel Post Offices will result in rural route carriers at those three hours being transferred to the Effingham Post Office.  The two rural routes at Dieterich and the rural routes at Montrose and Sigel will be impacted.

Effingham Post Office Officer-in-Charge Diane Miller said the Postal Service is trying to reduce operating costs, but members of Congress are desirous of keeping the post offices open.  When space became available at the Effingham Post Office due to the shift of work to the Champaign Post Office, the decision was made to move the rural carriers to Effingham.  With fewer operating hours, the rural carriers at those post offices wouldn't be able to get their mailings sorted and delivered on time.

Miller said decisions on hours of operation are being based on the traffic at the post offices, the revenue generated by the offices, and the number of post office boxes utilized at the facilities.

The hours at the Montrose Post Office will change as of January 26.  The office will be open from 12:45 to 4:45pm Monday through Friday.  No decisions have been finalized on the hours of operation at Dieterich and Sigel but, reportedly, the Dieterich office will be open six hours a day and the Sigel office will be open four hours a day.