The U.S. Postal Service has agreed, at the request of several U.S. senators, including Jerry Moran of Hays, to delay closing post offices or the consolidation of mail processing centers, until May 15.

The postponement is intended to give Congress time to look at passing comprehensive postal legislation, according to Hays Postmaster Tom Lippert.

More than 20 northwest Kansas post offices are targeted for closure, including Catherine in Ellis County.

During a public meeting November 29th in Hays, regional USPS officials discussed the possible consolidation of the Hays and Colby mail processing centers into Wichita.   Both already have seen outgoing mail processing merged into the Salina Post Office.

Closure studies are ongoing for post offices in Alton, Bogue, Brownell, Catharine, Collyer, Damar, Edson, Gaylord, Herndon, Kanorado, Kirwin, Long Island, Norcatur, Paradise, Waldo and Woodston.