Hollywoodnews.com expects to launch in January with former Los Angeles Times film reporter Robert Welkos as the editor and Carlos de Abreu as CEO and publisher. Welkos posted about it tonight on Facebook:

I've been named Editor of Hollywoodnews.com, a new online destination for fans interested in unique and fresh entertainment news about awards, fashion, lifestyles, movies, music and television, as well as access to red carpet and live events, one-on-one interviews with celebrities and industry insiders, backstage and on set visits, private parties and many other inside pathways of Hollywood.

Hollywoodnews.com is the brainchild of Carlos de Abreu, the founder of the Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, which annually attracts top stars and filmmakers to its awards gala in Beverly Hills. Carlos is also founder of Hollywood Network, Inc., an entertainment, marketing and live event production company. He will serve as CEO, Founder and Publisher of http://www.hollywoodnews.com/....

We are currently seeking freelancers in the areas of television, music and fashion news as well premieres, parties, junkets, red carpet events, awards, concerts, festivals, fashion shows, etc. If you're interested, please contact me at bobw@hollywoodnews.com.

Welkos left the Times in March 2008 — read his exit note.