Officials are investigating a post office in Marion after receiving multiple complaints regarding lost or damaged mail and reports of letters and packages scattered along U.S. 2.

Community members are utilizing a local Facebook page to track down their missing packages and post complaints about mail being received wet, dirty or damaged.  Several Marion residents said they received alerts from the U.S. Postal Service, notifying them their mail was delivered, but the package was nowhere to be seen.      

“Did anyone receive a package for Alexis Somerville today?” one post reads on Facebook. “I got a text saying it was delivered but there is nothing in the mailbox at all. We haven’t gotten ANY mail ... for at least 4 days.” 

Another resident posted on Jan. 14, “I’m missing a package that was supposedly delivered by USPS this evening. If anyone has seen it, please let me know. Thank you!” 

Marion resident Mandy Casto told the Inter Lake she’s found pieces of mail scattered along U.S. 2, and other residents reported picking up mail off the ground near their mailboxes. Among the complaints were reports and photos of a white pickup delivering mail in the truck bed, either uncovered or with the tailgate missing.    

“We observed [the route driver] consistently carrying the mail/packages in an open, uncovered pickup truck bed on the highway regardless of weather,” Marion resident Ellen Stone told the Inter Lake in a message on social media. 

Stone, who lives on the west side of Marion, said she and her husband are always picking up wet, ripped, muddy mail off the road near their line of mailboxes. Their own mail was misdelivered to their neighbor four times.   

A few individuals have volunteered to gather the missing letters and packages and return them to the correct owner, according to Facebook posts.  

“Finally got some mail yesterday after more than a week,” Sommerville posted on Jan. 16. “This must be some highway mail. Lol.” 

A spokesperson for the Postal Service told the Inter Lake an active investigation has been launched after receiving multiple complaints. Details of the investigation were not available.  

“The Postal Service takes these matters seriously and is reviewing the situation in accordance with established procedures,” said spokesperson Janella Herron in an emailed statement. “The safety and security of mail delivery is our top priority, and we appreciate the community's patience as we address this issue.” 

Postmaster Keira Baldwin, who oversees the Marion post office remotely from another post office in Kila, declined to comment and referred the Inter Lake to the Postal Service representative.  

A representative from Sen. Tim Sheehy’s office also confirmed receiving multiple complaints about the mail delivery issue in Marion.  

“Our office has been in contact with our constituents and the USPS to address this issue and ensure Montanans can depend on affordable, reliable mail services,” a spokesperson from Sheehy’s office said in an email statement. “Our office has been informed that the highway contractor for this route has removed the carrier from the route, a new carrier has started, and that a secure, enclosed vehicle is now being used.” 

Harron from the Postal Service did not confirm details about the carrier to the Inter Lake, citing the ongoing investigation.  

Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].