Alva – The U.S. Postal Service is asking all Alva homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 17–23, says Postmaster Jo Ellen Fleming.

"Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of our community and makes delivering and receiving mail safer for our carriers and customers," Fleming says.

The postal service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes every year.

Some of the typical activities homeowners may need to do include:

• Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.

• Repainting a mailbox that...