Today JH Weekly publisher Mary Grossman announced the appointment of Richard Abowitz as editor. In welcoming Abowitz to JH Weekly, Grossman affirmed JH Weekly‘s commitment to continue building a vital alternative weekly in Jackson:

“I’m looking forward to Richard shaking things up in Jackson Hole,” said Grossman. “Though Jackson Hole is a sophisticated community, many of its residents have become too comfortable with small town journalism. We’re hoping to change that.”

Abowitz, a frequent contributor to many publications including Daily Beast and Los Angeles Times, spent a decade as an editor at Las Vegas Weekly.

“I am so excited to be joining this community,” Abowitz says. “Everyone has made my cats and me feel very welcome. The beauty of this place is overwhelming and I feel so fortunate to be here just as the fall colors arrive.”

“A big question still remains unanswered about Richard, Will he learn to ski?” jokes Grossman.

In addition to his print experience, Abowitz is a Web devotee having written Movable Buffet, a daily blog on Vegas for the Los Angeles Times, as well as helping set up Jazz.com.