BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Some people in Bakersfield aren't receiving their mail until well after the sun slips past the horizon, and with the holidays coming, they can expect to make the dark walk to the mailbox for a while longer.

The overwhelmingly rapid growth of Bakersfield is what the post office says is delaying the mail service. Terri Bouffiou, of the U.S. Postal Service, says 14 new carriers were recently hired to help rectify the situation.

Customers can make life a little less jumpy for the carriers who have to be out delivering the mail in the dark by keeping their dog restrained.

The backlog of mail could work in your favor. If you're looking for a job, the postal service says it is still hiring carriers.