City Of Battle Ground Launches “BiG Heart” Citizen Recognition Program (Photo) - 04/21/26

The City of Battle Ground is proud to announce the launch of the BiG Heart Award, a new citizen recognition program established by the Battle Ground City Council to celebrate individuals, organizations, and businesses that make meaningful contributions to the community.

Through the BiG Heart program, community members are invited to nominate those whose service, achievements, and dedication help strengthen the spirit of Battle Ground. Selected recipients will be honored during a City Council meeting and presented with a commemorative heart-shaped stone, a lapel pin, and a certificate of recognition.

The heart-shaped stone symbolizes both strength and compassion—reflecting the foundation of a thriving community. Each honoree represents a unique contribution, and together, their efforts help shape the character and resilience of Battle Ground.

April BiG Heart Award Recipient: Virginia Mendez-Rodeman

On Monday, April 20, 2026, Mayor Eric Overholser presented Virginia Mendez-Rodeman, of the Battle Ground Martial Arts Academy, with the first BiG Heart Award.

Virginia was recognized for her outstanding achievements in competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and for representing our community with excellence on the global stage. She recently traveled to Lisbon, Portugal, to compete in the 2026 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) European Championship. Through her dedication, resilience, and extraordinary work ethic, Virginia earned the gold medal in the Brown Belt Female Master 5 Open Division—an achievement that reflects determination and heart with no limits.

“As a member of the Battle Ground City Council, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many people in our community who are doing truly remarkable things,” said Mayor Overholser. “Through volunteer efforts and incredible achievements like Virginia’s, we are reminded that there is greatness all around us. The BiG Heart Award is a way to recognize and celebrate those contributions.”

Nominations & Awards

Nominees may be of any age and must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be a Battle Ground resident
• Be an organization located within the City (including nonprofits, schools, and service clubs)
• Be an owner, operator, or employee of a business within Battle Ground city limits

Both individuals and groups are eligible. City staff and elected officials acting in their official capacity are not eligible. The BiG Heart Award will be presented to one recipient, selected by the Mayor, each month.

For additional information or to submit a nomination, please visit the City of Battle Ground website at: www.cityofbg.org/BiGHeart

City Of Battle Ground Seeks Applicants For Salary Commission Vacancy - 04/06/26

The City of Battle Ground is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on its Salary Commission, a volunteer board that supports transparency and accountability in local government. This appointment will fill Position No. 3 for the remainder of a three-year term ending December 31, 2027.

The Salary Commission is a three-member independent body responsible for reviewing and determining the salaries and health insurance benefits provided to the City’s elected officials.

Commission members must be residents of the City of Battle Ground, and may not be City officers, employees, or immediate family members of City officials or staff.  Qualified applicants will be considered for an appointment by the mayor, whose appointment will be confirmed by the council.  Applicants who are not selected for this vacancy will remain eligible for consideration for future Salary Commission vacancies for up to one year from the date their application is submitted.

To apply online, visit www.cityofbg.org/Salary-Commission. To request an application or obtain additional information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk.info@cityofbg.org or 360-342-5000.

Community In Action: Police Cruisers “Crammed” With Snacks To Benefit Local Students (Photo) - 03/30/26

On March 28, 2026, the Battle Ground Police Department partnered with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Battle Ground Education Foundation to host the inaugural Cram the Cruiser event at the Battle Ground Fred Meyer.

The community showed up in a big way. Thanks to their generosity, nearly 8,500 individual snack items were donated to support student food pantries at Battle Ground High School and Prairie High School—programs led by School Resource Officer Phil Anderson and Deputy Chelsea Quiggle. The overwhelming volume of donations filled both patrol vehicles and required multiple trips to transport.

These school-based pantries, including BGHS’s “Tiger’s Table,” are designed to ensure students have access to quick, nutritious snacks during the school day while also creating opportunities for positive, everyday interactions with law enforcement. What started as a small, officer-led effort has grown into a meaningful, community-supported program that continues to strengthen connections with students.

Beyond the donations, the event created valuable opportunities for officers and deputies to engage with students, families and community members. The Battle Ground Police Department was also grateful for the support from Read Northwest, Fire District 3, local elected officials, and members of the Pacific Youth Cheerleading organization, who helped make the event a success.

The Battle Ground Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Battle Ground Public Schools, and the Battle Ground Education Foundation for their continued partnership and commitment to students.

Together, this community effort is making a difference, one conversation, one snack, and one relationship at a time.

Battle Ground Police Arrest Suspect In Fatal 2025 Crash (Photo) - 03/27/26

CORRECTION:  Smith was contacted at his place of employment, not 'with contact at his place of employment', as stated in error in the original release.  

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On March 27, 2026, at approximately 6:30am, the Battle Ground Police Department, with assistance from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Michael T. Smith (46) in connection with a fatal collision that occurred in 2025. 

The arrest stems from a two-car collision that occurred on March 19, 2025, at approximately 2:12pm, near the 100 block of SW 20^th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered that two occupants of Kia Soul– an adult male (driver) and an adult female (passenger)– had sustained significant injuries and were transported by ambulance to an area hospital.  Sadly, the passenger was pronounced deceased at the hospital at 3:37pm that afternoon.  The driver was treated for serious injuries and fortunately survived.

Smith, the driver of the second vehicle involved in the collision, was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene and was relatively unharmed.    

Due to the severity of the injuries resulting from the collision, deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department Traffic Units were brought in to assist with the investigation.  Collision analysis determined that Smith’s vehicle was traveling significantly above the posted speed limit when it struck the Kia as it entered SW 20^th Avenue from a private driveway. 

In March 2026, investigators received laboratory results from the analysis of a blood sample obtained from Smith on the day of the collision, giving investigators probable case for the arrest.  Smith was contacted at his place of employment in the Hazel Dell area and taken into custody without incident.  He was booked into the Clark County Jail on charges of Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault.

The Battle Ground Police Department is grateful to our partners at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department for their assistance with this investigation and safe apprehension of the suspect. 

No additional information is available at this time.