For years, the Warsaw Post Office extended its hours on April 15 to accommodate customers who who wanted to mail their tax returns at the last minute.

This year, the office will not be open late due to security concerns. This is not a local decision but one that was made at the state level.

"It may not happen in Warsaw, but there are security issues that were brought up, that we can't protect our employees (from)," said Postmaster John Rupe.

For example, he said, there could be tax protesters against the war who could cause problems. However, Rupe said, he didn't believe that could happen here.

"The decision was made by the higher-ups in Indiana that we won't be open extended hours," he said. "We tried to get an exception, but they weren't granting any."

Rupe said he doesn't like the idea of not having extended hours and stressed he didn't think there was any need to be concerned about security in Warsaw, but "we live in an extraordinary time."

The Warsaw office will be open normal business hours, and plans are in place to staff the office for the expected heavy mailing day. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Rupe said at least four windows will be open at the post office on Tuesday and he will be in the lobby to supervise and help control the traffic.

"We're planning for the worst-case scenario," he said of the expected amount of traffic.

Mail also will be collected from the collection boxes at the main office at various times during the day. Customers should check all other box locations for the collection times before depositing mail.

Mail dropped off before midnight April 15 will be isolated by the post office to get the tax returns postmarked dated April 15, as that is the date all tax returns must be postmarked to avoid any penalties.

Rupe said the post office apologizes for any inconvenience but it wasn't a local decision. In the last 20 years, Rupe said, this is the first time they haven't been opened extended hours. [[In-content Ad]]