Dan Brannan is Content Director of RiverBender and EdGlenToday.com. Dan started at Riverbender.com/Edglentoday.com in December 2014. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. Having previously served as the Executive Editor of The Telegraph in Alton, his 17-year tenure led the paper to over 350 awards including several General Excellence awards in the Illinois Press Association, Illinois Associated Press, Freedom Communications, Southern Illinois Editorial Association and Journal Register Company contests. Brannan was chosen to lead Freedom Communications' national pilot on social media.
He is the author of eight nonfiction books including: "The Courage to Live," a biography about Donna Gustavel, a young woman with multiple disabilities; "Everyday Angels," an inspirational book of moving human interest stories; "Live Life to the Fullest: Stories of People Coping With Diabetes" which is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association; "Boy Giant: The Story of Robert Wadlow The World's Tallest Man;" "Damn Cold and Starving" written with Sgt. Marion Ray; "You Can't Kill the Dream" co-written with fellow journalist Ande Yakstis; and "A Life in Parts," the story of Loretta Goebel and endorsed by Beatle Paul McCartney.
Dan, an avid exercise enthusiast, is a member of the American Diabetes Association and lives in Maryville. Dan has two children in college - Savannah and Sierra.
WEST ALTON, MO. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted a controlled burn on approximately 80 acres near the end of Riverlands Way, producing smoke visible for miles. The prescribed fire aimed to reduce hazardous fuel loads and improve ecosystem health in the area. Photos by 618 Drone Service...
BELLEVILLE — Kalyn Reid, a senior at Belleville East High School and treasurer of the school's Literary Lancers, was recently featured in the National English Honor Society’s international publication, the NEHS Museletter. Reid's essay, titled “Immortal Words: Bram...
MARYVILLE - Maryville Christian's boys defeated Father McGivney Catholic 56-49 in a closely contested Greater Metro Conference game on Tuesday night, Jan. 13, 2026, at Maryville’s gym. The home team Lions, pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Griffins 21-8 to secure the victory....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Michael Cornell Jr., 39, of the 9500 block of West Avenue in St. Louis, with multiple offenses including four counts of statutory sodomy in the second degree, three counts o...
WINCHESTER - Calhoun's boys advanced to the semifinals of the Winchester Invitational Tournament with a 56-46 victory over West Central on Wednesday night, Jan. 14, 2026. Lane Eilerman led Calhoun with 18 points, bringing his career total to 995 points. Eilerman is expected to surpass the 1,000-point...
CASEYVILLE — A Caseyville police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for reckless driving on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, but the driver fled at high speed into Collinsville before crashing and fleeing on foot, authorities said. The vehicle struck a curb in Collinsville and became disabled on the...
JERSEY COUNTY - The Dr. Silas Hamilton Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently donated a braille American flag to the Jersey County Public Library for public display. The Braille American flag donation reflects the chapter’s ongoing commitment to education...
EDWARDSVILLE — Illinois’ two regional library systems are hosting a virtual event on Jan. 20, 2026, aimed at strengthening school libraries amid ongoing budget and staffing challenges. The Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) and the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) wil...
TROY, Ill. — Rose Street, between Wayland Avenue and Barnsback Street, will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, for emergency sewer main replacements, the City of Troy announced this week. The repair is expected to be completed within one day. The work will take place adjacent to addresses...
ALTON — Woody’s Chicken, a longtime local favorite, is making a comeback this Sunday, Jan. 18, with a new twist: serving chicken tenders from a food truck. Nate and Lilly Dettmers, third- and fourth-generation family members behind the legendary brand, announced a trial run to test community...
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