Despite layoffs at the Merc and buyouts at the Contra Costa Times and ANG, MediaNews Group in Denver has hired a new leader for its online operations (Oliver Knowlton, formerly of Sports Illustrated and Time Inc.) and an executive vice president for sales and marketing (Mark Winkler, formerly of Comcast). Also, former Knight Ridder president Steve Rossi will replace George Riggs as president and CEO of the company’s California Newspaper Partnership.