Weigands escape to retire in 'Mayberry'

RITZVILLE – In 2007, Mark and Sandra Weigand left their Snohomish County home to settle on Sixth Avenue here.

When they finally departed the west side of the state, Sandra asked Mark, "Aren't you going to look back?"

"No, I never want to look back," he said.

Born in Newton, Kan., Mark Weigand's family moved to Oregon when he was in grade school. He grew up near the Columbia River and after graduating from The Dalles High School, he joined the Coast Guard. After discharge, he attended radio and television school in Portland.

Sandra Weigand was also born in the Midwest - Sioux City, Iowa - but g...