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.
GRANITE CITY - Junior Landon Harris qualified for the IHSA Class 3A Cross Country Sectional after finishing 10th at the Belleville West Regional on Oct. 15, 2025, with a time of 15:17.60. The event took place in Belleville. Harris is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors....
ROXANA - Will Stevens of Roxana had several strong accomplishments for the boys' golf team in the 2025 season. He won the Cahokia Conference Tournament after a four-hole playoff at Governor’s Run in Carlyle, firing a one-over 73. The tournament concluded with Stevens securing the individual...
GRANITE CITY — Morgan Hayes, a standout student and athlete at Granite City High School, has demonstrated dedication both on the golf course and in the classroom. Over the past two years, Hayes has been an active member of the school’s golf team, as well as participating in Renaissance,...
VANDALIA — The community of Vandalia is rallying around the family of Kylie Marie Toberman, a 14-year-old Vandalia resident whose life ended on Nov. 14, 2025. Authorities have charged Arnold B. Rivera with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of the 14-year-old. The case has lef...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police have identified Gregory Hickman, 51, of St. Louis, as the victim in a homicide investigation on Bellefontaine Road on Nov. 15, 2025. Officers from the North County Precinct responded to a ShotSpotter activation at 2:06 a.m. on November 15 in the 12100...
JERSEY — Three teachers from Jersey Community High School attended the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference to enhance their efforts in preparing students for life after graduation. Natalie Zedolek, Shelby Eisler, and Marti Hansen participated in the event with the goal of gaining new strategies...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A St. Peters, Mo., man was sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison after admitting to kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend at gunpoint and forcing her to obtain an abortion in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Kevin L. Smith, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping...
EAST ST. LOUIS — The East St. Louis Flyers continued their dominant football season with a decisive 49-0 IHSA Class 6A quarterfinals victory over Chicago Simeon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at their home field in East St. Louis. The Flyers are set to face St. Laurence in the state semifinals...
BETHALTO — Pruitt Mechanical Services LLC distributed nearly 1,000 turkeys to families in need across the Riverbend area on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, aiming to support the community during the Thanksgiving holiday. The event took place throughout the day, with cars lining up and volunteers...
ALTON — Members of the Calvary Baptist Youth group, along with Pastor Jeff Davis, spent part of their day Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, assisting the Alton Police Department with fall landscaping cleanup around the department’s grounds. The volunteer effort took place at the police department’...
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
