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.
ALTON — Nathan Woods, 41, was taken into custody on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, after he allegedly set fire to a woman’s house on Gilham Avenue in Alton on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. The Alton Police Department arrested Woods and he has been charged with Aggravated Arson, a Class X felony, and...
WOOD RIVER - Mason Shewmake, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been recognized for his achievements in soccer, earning a spot on the Cahokia Conference All-Conference Team for 2025. Shewmake has played soccer since he was three years old and currently plays club soccer for Gateway...
BELLEVILLE - Althoff Catholic High School’s math team secured first place in its division for the fall season, capping off their successful run with strong individual and team performances at the final competition. The event, held recently as part of the fall math competition series,...
TROY - The Triad High School Math Team delivered a strong performance Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at the Southwestern Illinois Math Conference competition, finishing second overall in their division. Eleven of the 12 participating Triad students earned awards, marking a successful conclusion...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Daniya Hill, a student-athlete from East St. Louis Senior High School, earned notable finishes in recent Illinois High School Association (IHSA) cross country competitions. On Oct. 25, 2025, Hill placed fifth at the IHSA Class 2A Girls Cross Country Regional held in Carterville....
SWANSEA - At a Village Board meeting in Swansea, three police officers were recognized for their lifesaving efforts following a serious traffic crash. Swansea Officer Clayton Proffitt and O’Fallon Officers Benjamin Sosa and Michael Shewmaker received Lifesaving Awards for their critical...
ROXANA — A giant buck startled students and staff when it appeared on the playground at Central Intermediate Elementary School, officials said. The deer was first seen on the blacktop area of the school playground before it jumped over a six-foot fence and left the premises, according to Christine...
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and...
ALTON — To mark the third anniversary of Nourished Revival, organizer Abigail Parker has launched a fundraiser in partnership with Riverbend Rescue, a local nonprofit serving families and children in the Riverbend area for the past two years. The campaign aims to provide personalized Christmas...
Photos by Tom Warner. STAUNTON - A large crowd gathered on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, to support Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, a 41-year-old Staunton business owner detained last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sandoval, owner of Caldera Bar & Grill in Staunton, was detained on Oct....
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