07/10/2025
INFORMATION ON 573 ZIP CODE DELIVERY ISSUES
I would like to re-publish two articles here that were in The Special on June 26 and July 3, respectively. Many of you subscribers with Zip Codes beginning with 573 are experiencing extended delays in the delivery of your newspaper and these articles explain what we're dealing with.
From June 26
Newspaper continues efforts to resolve delivery delays
Customers in 573 ZIP codes experiencing unnecessary delays
Troy Schwans, Managing Editor
A few weeks ago, I shared how your newspaper makes its way into your mailbox each week. In short, we deliver the paper to the Salem Post Office every Thursday morning without fail, except in the rare case of a holiday. After that, it’s in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service’s logistics.
Unfortunately, when your newspaper doesn’t arrive on time, it’s typically due to issues within the broader postal delivery system, something neither your local postmaster nor our staff can directly control. The postal delivery system isn’t always consistent or reliable.
We’ve recently been made aware of potential changes within the postal system that may affect delivery times. One such change involves rerouting mail from our area, more specifically those newspapers with ZIP codes beginning with 573, all the way to Fargo, North Dakota, before it comes back to be delivered locally. Why that’s considered efficient is a mystery to us, and it’s not something we have any influence over.
We understand that many of you, particularly those in the 573 ZIP code range, have not been receiving your newspapers on time, even though we continue to mail them at the same time every week. At this point, we can’t guarantee when your newspaper will arrive on any given week and it’s as frustrating to us as it is to you.
Please know this - we are doing everything we can to address these delivery issues. It’s an uphill battle, but we remain committed to pushing for a solution that ensures timely and reliable service for our readers.
We sincerely appreciate your patience, loyalty, and continued support of our newspaper. As we learn more or see changes in the situation, I will keep you updated.
July 3
Newspaper delivery issues for 573 zip codes persist
Troy Schwans | Managing Editor
Last week, I wrote about the ongoing struggles with newspaper delivery to customers in the 573 zip code area and unfortunately, those same issues have continued, with many of you not receiving your June 26 edition in a timely manner. That makes it the second week in a row where severe delivery delays have disrupted our normal mailing routine.
To reiterate, this newspaper was again delivered to the Salem Post Office first thing Thursday morning on June 26, just like always. Once it leaves our hands, however, we’re at the mercy of the U.S. Postal Service’s logistics network, currently a very unpredictable system. Remember, your local Postmasters and your rural carriers are doing their very best and are definitely not part of the problem and more often than not will go out of their way to help provide the best service they can deliver. We applaud these local people for their efforts!
As I mentioned previously, much of the delay is tied to recent USPS changes affecting 573 zip code areas, where newspapers are apparently being rerouted all the way to Fargo, North Dakota, before eventually coming back to be delivered just a few miles away. Why that’s considered efficient remains baffling.
Also, this week brings the Fourth of July holiday, which is another factor that’s sure to slow mail processing even further, but that’s to be expected.
We understand your frustration. We’re frustrated too. We continue to send the paper out on time each week, but we cannot currently guarantee when it will land in your mailbox. What we can guarantee is that we’ll keep pushing for answers and advocating for more reliable service on your behalf.
We truly appreciate your patience and support during this mess. As always, I’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
