U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Unalaska's post office is back to full service.

This change comes almost two years after the U.S. Postal Service cut hours at the Unalaska branch due to "staffing shortages" and "reduced customer numbers."

Having hired new staff, post office officials say counter service is open for normal operations and package pickup Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for an employee lunch break from 11 a.m. to noon.

The Unalaska post office is flying a new American flag, just days after its original red, white, and blue banner was stolen.

Postmaster Jamesa Marino-Tickle said the replacement was hoisted Friday, thanks to a donation from Mayor Frank Kelty.

"We've had so much positive feedback and support from the community," she said, in response to the theft.

Unalaska's postmaster is pleading for the return of an American flag that has disappeared from its pole outside the Unalaska post office.

"On Monday night, somebody stole it," said Postmaster Jamesa Marino-Tickle. "They cut the rope and they stole the flag."

The 4-by-10-foot flag was only hoisted last month, after its broken pole stood bare for more than a decade. Marino-Tickle said the post office worked with the city to repair it in time for Memorial Day.

The Unalaska post office has had reduced service for months. But officials say that's due to staffing shortages — not an attempt to shutter the branch

"No, there is nothing in the works for closing a post office in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor," said Dawn Peppinger, a marketing manager for the U.S. Postal Service. "There are no plans for that."

Currently, the Unalaska post office is open for package pick-up on weekdays from noon until 4 p.m. Counter service also reopened recently so patrons can buy stamps.