The deadline to ship letters and packages to U.S. troops in Iraq or Afghanistan is fast approaching.

Residents have until Dec. 4 to ship mail to U.S. troops in the two countries if they wish to receive them by Christmas, according to a release. The deadline to ship mail to troops elsewhere in the world is Dec. 11.

To make sure that mail arrive to other destinations by Christmas, the U.S. Postal Service has also set a few other deadlines. These include:

* Dec. 4, which is also the deadline to ship packages to Africa, Central and South America

* Dec. 11, which is the deadline to send mail to Mexico, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, new Zealand and Asia and the Pacific Rim.

* Dec. 21, which is the deadline for mail to be sent to locations in the U.S.

* Dec. 23, which is the Express Mail deadline to major U.S. cities and metro areas.

A meeting will soon be held to offer residents details of a sexually violent predator that will be moving into Greeley.

The meeting is one of the first steps in the process of a person labeled as a sexually violent predator moving into the city. The person’s name and address – as well as this person’s photograph – will be released at the meeting, which will take place at place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Greeley Police Department, 2875 W. 10th St. in Greeley.

Children that are under the age of 15 and that are not accompanied by an adult will not be allowed at the meeting, according to a release, as some mature content will be presented.

Though sexually violent predators are required to register with law enforcement agencies – as is the case with other sexual offenders – such meetings are held for such offenders as there is high potential for them to re-offend, the release said.

The Windsor Police Department is asking for help in finding a man who attempted to steal several electronic items from the King Soopers, 1520 Main St., and assaulted one of the employees.

Officers responded to a report of theft and assault at the store on Sunday at approximately 12:40 p.m.

Employees reported that an adult white male had taken several electronic items from the store and attempted to leave without paying. Upon contact with the suspect, a King Soopers employee was assaulted with pepper spray.

The suspect left the area and nearly struck another vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Windsor police at (970) 686-7433.

Several Severance Middle School students were late for school Monday morning when a vehicle pulling out of its driveway on Immigration Trail in Severance struck the bus.

There were no injuries, and the bus sustained only minor damage.

“It delayed the kids, making them late for school,” Windsor-Severance director of transportation Nacho Alvarado said. “We had to have other busses go out and get them. But it was minimal damage, barley a paint rub.”

Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Margie Martinez said the driver, who was identified as Levi Nickleson, 16 of Severance, was pulling out of his driveway just after the bus had picked up a student at 220 Immigration Trail, off Weld County Road 74.

The vehicle, a Chevy S10 pickup, was in a forward motion and was not backing out. Nickleson struck the rear wheel well of the door side of the bus. Alvarado said the pickup’s windows were frosted over.

Nickleson was issued a summons for failing to yield

Tickets for the NCAA Regional first-round volleyball match between the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Washington at 5 p.m. Thursday at Moby Arena in Fort Collins can be purchased through the Colorado State University athletic department ticket office at the McGraw Athletic Center. Fans can also purchase tickets by calling 800-491-RAMS.

Only all-session tickets are available for sale until the beginning of the first match on the first day of competition. At that time single-session tickets will go on sale.

All-Session: $12 Reserved; $10 General Admission; $6 Students/Senior Citizens; $4 Youth General Admission.

Single-Session (available only after beginning of first session): $8 Reserved; $7 General Admission; $5 Students/Senior Citizens; $4 Youth General Admission.

Additional information can be found at www.NCAAsports.com.