Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, announced Friday that the Cortez post office will remain open until the end of October. The post office, which has served the community for more than 100 years, was originally set to close for good this weekend, after a dispute over liability insurance between the U.S. Postal Service and strip plaza landlord John Baynas.

According to Buchanan's office, the congressman was informed today by Suncoast Postal District manager Stephen Hardin that an agreement to keep the post office open temporarily has been reached and that the postal service is "optimistic there will be a long-term solution" announced, possibly as soon as next week.

Without the post office in Cortez, approximately 1,000 residents would have to drive to the nearest office located in Palma Sola—not an option for the many elderly residents who drive golf carts or walk to the Cortez location.