USPS Closes Winston Mail Delivery Inquiry After Finding No Ongoing Pattern

WINSTON, Ore. - The U.S. Postal Service has closed an inquiry into reported mail and package delivery problems in Winston after determining that available delivery data did not show a pattern requiring further investigation.

Winston Mayor Christie Knutson read the Sept. 18 response during Monday night’s City Council meeting. The letter was sent by John Sandness, USPS manager of customer relations for Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

The response followed an inquiry from the city and an escalation to the Postal Service’s executive leadership team.

“After investigation and consultation with local management, your inquiry has been addressed and closed,” Sandness wrote.

According to the letter, the manager of post office operations conducted a stand-up talk with Winston-area carriers and reinforced the importance of confirming the correct delivery point for every package.

USPS also reviewed available delivery-route stop data along the carrier’s line of travel. The agency said it did not find patterns or irregularities indicating an ongoing delivery problem requiring additional investigation.

The Postal Service said it would continue reinforcing proper scanning and delivery practices and monitor available data for emerging trends.

The response described the matter as a “package delivery concern,” while the city’s original request outlined broader complaints involving both mail and packages throughout the 97496 ZIP code.

As The Roseburg Receiver previously reported, Knutson wrote to U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle in August after the city received reports of mail arriving at incorrect addresses, packages being marked as delivered but left elsewhere, and prescription medications and other time-sensitive items failing to reach their intended recipients.

City officials also reported that Winston City Hall had periodically received mail intended for other residents, businesses, and communities.

Copies of the city’s letter were sent to USPS Consumer Advocacy, U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, members of Oregon’s congressional, and state legislative delegations, Winston City Council members, and City Manager Thomas McIntosh.

During Monday’s discussion, McIntosh said he did not believe the Postal Service’s response adequately addressed the concerns presented by the city. He said Winston had received a small number of calls regarding the inquiry but was still waiting for follow-up responses from members of Oregon’s federal delegation.

The possibility of filing a complaint with the USPS Office of Inspector General was also raised by a community member.

Council members and residents discussed additional concerns, including addresses where home delivery was reportedly unavailable, residents being required to use post office boxes, and mail arriving damaged or opened.

Knutson also described a package that tracking information showed had been delivered to her post office box but was not there when she went to retrieve it. She said the USPS response did not address that incident.

With ballots expected to be distributed for the upcoming election, Knutson encouraged residents who remain concerned about mail delivery to use the ballot drop box at Winston City Hall or deliver their ballots to the Douglas County Elections Office at the courthouse. Officials also discussed ensuring that a security camera is directed toward the City Hall ballot box.

The city did not announce a formal next step Monday. Officials indicated they will continue waiting for responses from Oregon’s federal representatives while considering whether to elevate the matter through additional Postal Service oversight channels.