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.
MEADOWBROOK - A group of seven Southwestern Illinois College students in the CEJA (Climate and Equitable Jobs Act) program recently constructed a new front porch at the home of veteran Dave Stout in Meadowbrook, providing hands-on training for the students and a new porch for a longtime member of...
GRANITE CITY - DOUBLE00 Vodka is set to make its official debut at 7 p.m. in Granite City on Saturday, July 11, 2026, when founder Darryl Gill introduces the brand at Nick’s Bar & Grill in what he described as the product’s first official pour. The launch event is scheduled for 7 p.m....
JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 said Jersey Community High School recently concluded its Theater Camp with a packed house for the campers’ performance, bringing together 75 campers and 50 high school students for a week of activities centered on theater....
GODFREY - Village of Godfrey officials have approved a renovation project for the vortex chamber at the Great Godfrey Corn Maze, a popular feature of the village’s haunted maze attraction in Glazebrook Park, Mayor Mike McCormick said. Trustees approved at the Tuesday night, July 7, 2026, boar...
GLEN CARBON - Illinois State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash involving an SUV and a truck tractor semi-trailer on Interstate 270 westbound near South Glen Carbon in Madison County at about 6:27 a.m. July 8, 2026, according to Troop 8. A preliminary investigation indicates the crash occurred...
ST. LOUIS - Thunderstorms are likely across the St. Louis region from Thursday, July 9, 2026, into Friday night, July 10, 2026, and some could turn severe, the U.S. National Weather Service in St. Louis, Mo., said on Wednesday morning, July 8, 2026. The National Weather Service said a few storms coul...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department announced the results of its Fourth of July traffic safety enforcement campaign in Alton, Illinois, saying officers issued dozens of citations and apprehended two fugitives as part of a statewide effort tied to impaired driving and seat belt enforcement....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County prosecutors have charged a Florissant, Mo., man in connection with a July 4, 2026, shooting at a gas station on Lusher Road in which authorities say gunfire was exchanged between people in a vehicle and an off-duty Riverview Gardens police officer working...
ALTON — Alton Police and firefighters responded at 7:41 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to reports of a pedestrian struck on Landmarks Boulevard, and the injured person was taken to a St. Louis-area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. The Alton Polic...
ALTON - Tiffany Tanner has provided an update on her mother, Brenda Tanner, a well-known Alton area resident, who is in a battle with Stage IV sarcoma. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the body's connective and supportive tissues, such as bones, tendons and blood vessels. Tiffany...
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.
