Petersburg Pilot -

With bright and colorful lights strung up around town and Christmas music playing inside businesses, there is no doubt that the date is approaching Dec. 25. Before it gets any closer to Christmas, the United States Postal Service is urging residents to mail their packages and presents to loved ones as early as possible.

"This would be the right year to mail early," said James Boxrud, a spokesperson with the USPS.

Post offices around the country are already seeing an increase in mail traveling through their facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result, the USPS is on track to deliv...