Newport Post Office could reopen Oct. 1

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Badly damaged in a late-June severe thunderstorm, the Newport Post Office could reopen to customers by Oct. 1, the United States Postal Service said in a statement last week.

High winds tore off a portion of the post office’s roof and caused more than $1 million in damages to the building, located at 303 21st St., on the evening of June 25. Work on the roof has been completed and repairs are continuing, the U.S. Postal Service said. It targeted Oct. 1 as the date postal operations would be up and running again from the Newport location.

Operations have moved to the Cottage Grove Post Office while repairs are completed.

“Our landlord is doing everything to expedite the repair process with his insurance company and contractors so that we can get our operations back in Newport,” said Postal Service Northland District Manager Anthony C. Williams. “We know this temporary relocation has led to some inconvenience for our customers, and we appreciate the patience and understanding they have shown us during this time.”

Carrier delivery to Newport addresses wasn’t affected by the office closure. Residents with held mail, packages or mail in post office boxes have to use the Cottage Grove location to pick up their mail.

“Parts of the roof ended up about a block away,” said Newport Postmaster Greg Burtman shortly after the storm tore back part of the building’s roof and left standing water in the post office and other adjacent businesses.

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