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.
O'FALLON, IL. - One person died Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2025, in a multi-vehicle crash in a construction zone on eastbound Interstate 64 near O’Fallon, IL., the Illinois State Police has reported. The crash occurred around 8 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2025, and involved two tractor-trailers, a utility...
COLUMBIA — The Columbia girls basketball team secured a 57-51 victory over Carlyle on Monday night, Nov. 17, 2025, in the Columbia Tournament despite limited practice time, drawing on the talents of several players fresh off their IHSA 2A State Girls Volleyball Tournament championship win over...
COLUMBIA - Allie Weiner had an exceptional game to start for Marquette Catholic as she led the Explorers with 17 points, while Delaney Ortman added nine points despite a 60-43 loss to Triad. Chayse Strickland added 8 points for the Explorers. Weiner led all scorers in the contest with her 17 points....
GRAFTON — A bobcat weighing approximately 25 pounds was recently spotted near the Tara Point Inn in Grafton. The sighting, captured by Rachel Peters, was shared on the Riverbender.com Facebook page on Nov. 18, 2025, as a Photo Of The Day. The medium-sized bobcat in Peters' photo was confirmed...
BELLEVILLE — A local family is facing an extraordinary challenge as their 13-year-old son, Richard Mothersell, battled two rare cancers simultaneously and died recently, prompting a community call for support. Richard Michael Mothersell, 13, of Belleville, was born on February 13, 2012, in Belleville...
DUPO - East Alton-Wood River edged Dupo 40-35 in the first round of the Cat Classic girls basketball tournament on Monday night, Nov. 17, 2025. The Oilers held a 7-5 lead after the first quarter, but Dupo tied the game at 12-12 by halftime. East Alton-Wood River then took a narrow 27-26 lead heading...
EAST ST. LOUIS — State Representative Kevin Schmidt visited East St. Louis recently to honor Personal Touch Boutique as the November Business of the Month. The men’s clothing store, owned by Bernita and Derrick Maxwell, has served the community from its location at 1958 State Street since...
MARYVILLE — A fire that broke out Monday evening, Nov. 17, 2025 , in the 6700 block of Oxborough Court in Maryville has left a home likely a total loss , Maryville Fire Chief Doug Dankenbring said. The Maryville Fire Department responded to the structure fire at 8:28 p.m. Nov. 17, 2025,...
MARYVILLE — A large house fire on Oxborough Court on Monday night, Nov. 17, 2025, prompted a multi-department response , but thankfully no injuries were reported, Maryville Fire Chief Doug Dankenbring said. The Maryville Fire Department was dispatched at 8:28 p.m. Nov. 17, 2025, to the...
MARYVILLE — Multiple fire departments responded to a large structure fire in the 6700 block of Oxborough Court in Maryville on the evening of Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. The blaze, which began after 8:30 p.m., was reportedly caused by a lightning strike to the home. Maryville Fire Department...
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