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.
BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District No. 8 announced that Mary Jo Burson, a third-grade teacher at Parkside, was selected for a grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation to support hands-on learning experiences in her classroom. The district said...
PIASA - Vivian Zurheide, a Southwestern High School senior and standout three-sport athlete, was named an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for her most recent performances on a softball field. Zurheide recently concluded her softball career at Southwestern with...
O'FALLON, Mo. — O'Fallon, Mo., Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon, June 30, 2026, on the Winghaven exit ramp from westbound Interstate 64 after what authorities described as an apparent road rage incident between two drivers. The victim has been identified...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Detective Lee Bazzell its Officer of the Month for April 2026 after his work on a shooting investigation helped lead to the arrest and charging of two suspects within days, according to the department. In April 2026, Bazzell responded to assis...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will move its Thursday, July 2, 2026, concert to the Edwardsville High School Auditorium at 6161 Center Grove Road because of projected heat, while keeping its 7:30 p.m. start time and concession plans in place, the City of Edwardsville said on Wednesday,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine is urging retailers and families in Illinois to take note of a new state law that immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people younger than 21. The law, Senate Bill 3222, was recently signed in Illinois and applies...
SHILOH - Officials broke ground Monday, June 29, 2026, on a new Shiloh Police Department headquarters in Shiloh, Illinois, a $10.5 million project that local and state leaders said is intended to expand space for officers and improve public safety services in the community. The ceremonial...
GODFREY - Community Christmas organizers are seeking help selling raffle tickets and promoting upcoming dine-to-donate events ahead of the annual Christmas in July fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at Freer Auto Body in Godfrey. Margaret Freer, one of the Freer Auto Body owners, sai...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man who was found with multiple gunshot wounds Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, inside a business in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis. Police said officers were called at about...
FERGUSON, MO. - A woman who was at a Ferguson, Mo., gas station with two of her children was struck and killed by crossfire late Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, after an argument inside the store escalated into gunfire outside, the Ferguson Police Department said Wednesday, July 1, 2026. A man also wa...
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