Oakdale utility customers can now pay bills online

Paying water and sewer bills is expected to soon get easier for Oakdale residents, who will now have the option of paying their bills online, over the telephone or on a smartphone app, city officials said.

Utility customers can pay their bills by logging on to the city's website, www.ci.oakdale.mn.us, by downloading the PSN (Payment Service Network) app or by calling PSN's toll-free automated service line at 877-885-7968.

"Our customers can now pay by credit or debit card as well as make electronic payments from checking or savings," finance director Suzy Warren said in a news release. "Customers can pay immediately, schedule payments, or set up Auto Pay for the amount of the bill or a set budgeted amount."

Mayor Carmen Sarrack added: "It's great to do something that benefits our residents while, at the same time, is kinder to the environment."

Customers still have the option of having their bills sent by mail, officials said.

For more information, contact the city at 651-501-5309, 651-730-2710 or 651-730-2714 or PSN at 866-917-7368.

The fifth annual Woodbury Community Expo, the largest event of its kind in the east metro, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury.

In conjunction with the expo, Memorial Blood Centers and the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host a blood drive. All blood types are needed, especially O-negative and O-positive.

Minnesota United FC, the state's only professional soccer team, will move into its new training facility at the soon-to-be-completed Bielenberg Sports Center this summer, team officials said.

United FC, which plays in the North American Soccer League, announced its partnership with the city of Woodbury last fall. Their agreement calls for the construction of a 7,500-square foot soccer-specific practice facility, which will be connected to the new 90,000-square foot multipurpose fieldhouse being built off Radio Drive. The training facility is being funded by the team, officials said.

Woodbury public safety director and police chief Lee Vague has joined the board at the Youth Service Bureau (YSB), along with an attorney with the Washington County attorney's office.

The YSB announced the additions of Vague and Susan Harris, who works in the Juvenile Division of the county attorney's office, earlier this month, bringing its board to nine members.

The organization, which has three locations in Washington County, provides programs and services aimed at helping young people and families "learn the skills they need to be more successful at home, in school and throughout the community," according to the release.

In an effort to control weeds, Washington County parks officials will conduct controlled burns in prairie land across the county between April 22 and May 20.

The burns will be in four county parks: Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Pine Point Park, Square Lake Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, officials said.

The burns, which will be overseen by the county, the state Department of Natural Resources and local fire departments, will occur on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., depending on weather conditions.

For further information, contact Washington County Parks at 651-430-4328.

The American Cancer Society is holding the annual "Bark for Life of Stillwater," a one-mile walk for dog owners and their pets to raise cancer awareness and funding for the Stillwater Relay for Life/American Cancer Society.

The event will be held on May 17 at Barker Alps in Bayport. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and costs $20.

"Bark for Life is a great opportunity to involve those four-legged family members in the fight against cancer," said Sue Baldwin, coordinator of Bark for Life in Stillwater. "It gives us the chance to honor survivors, remember those lost and those who are still fighting, whether they are friends, family, or pets."

For more information or to register online, visit www.relayforlife.org/barkstillwatermn.