Morehouse post office reopens

Russ Collier, Morehouse postmaster, walks Eighth District Rep. Jo Ann Emerson through the newly renovated Morehouse Post Office. Jill Bock, Staff

MOREHOUSE - Neither rain nor snow nor dark of night can keep the postman from his rounds, but high water can run him out of his post office. On Thursday, Morehouse officials gathered to mark the reopening of the local facility at 520 Beech St.

Morehouse Mayor Pete Leija said having the local facility reopen means a lot to local residents.

"You wouldn't believe how much people missed it," said Leija.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson called rural postal services essential to Southeast Missouri's rural communities.

"Without access to a local post office, our families and businesses must drive extremely inconvenient distances to do their postal business," she said. "Our rural post offices are more than a convenience, however, they are also a part of our local identity. They keep us connected to our community as well as others in the region and nation."

For more on this story see the Aug. 5 Standard Democrat.