WAITSBURG-Students from Mrs. Stephanie Hinchliffe's first grade class released salmon into the Touchet River on May 22, concluding this season of the Salmon in Schools project.

Waitsburg, Dixie and Touchet elementary schools are among the newest participating schools, bringing the program's total roster to twelve. Waitsburg first graders are pioneers and, indeed, prototypes for the potential success of this program among younger students.

The journey to the release began on Oct. 17 when Andrew Bassler, educa- tion coordinator for the Tri-State Steel- headers brought in 125 spring chinook sa...