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 - Riverbender.com's Ryan Schlueter provided a morning view of the remains of the home in the 1200 block of Seasons Drive in Godfrey on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Charlie Schlueter and Ryan both contributed to the photos above. The fire started at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Th...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Maurice Scott has transformed the East St. Louis baseball program, leading multiple players to earn college scholarships through his leadership. As head coach, Scott has not only focused on athletic success but also on strengthening ties within the East St. Louis community. The East...
ALTON — Detective Dan Jensen has been named Officer of the Month for July 2025 by the Alton Police Department in recognition of his exceptional investigative work and dedication to justice in cases involving crimes against children. Detective Jensen led a sensitive investigation that resulted...
WOOD RIVER - The Riverbend East Rotary Club honored two students from East Alton-Wood River High School with the September Service Above Self awards during a recent ceremony. Tamarion Marshall and Brooke Parker were recognized for their contributions to the school and community. Mark Smith, president...
GODFREY — Neighbors quickly helped evacuate residents from a home in the 1200 block of Seasons Drive in Godfrey after noticing smoke coming from the back of the house on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, prompting a large firefighting response. The fire, which began in a home on Seasons Drive, spread...
CLINTON COUNTY — Authorities discovered possible human remains near Centralia in unincorporated Clinton County on Oct. 10, 2025, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies and detectives responded to the scene after receiving notification of the discovery. The Clinton County Coroner,...
GODFREY — Firefighters from the Godfrey Fire Protection District and several neighboring departments responded to a serious house fire on Seasons Drive in Godfrey on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. The fire was reported at about 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2025. Along with Godfrey Fire, crews from the Alton...
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery was remanded into custody Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, following an evidentiary hearing related to federal charges against him. Montgomery now stands accused of four counts of witness retaliation and one count of witness tampering. The charges stem...
NAPLES, Fla. — Jim Hart, an 81-year-old former NFL quarterback best known for his lengthy career with the St. Louis Cardinals, reflected on his life and football journey during a recent interview from his home in Naples, Fla. Hart played professionally from 1966 to 1984, primarily with the Cardinals...
ALTON — A group of longtime Alton fans has maintained a unique connection with former St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart through a fan club that has been meeting regularly in Naples, Florida, over the years. Steve Tassinari, a member of the Alton Jim Hart Fan Club, said Floyd Raglin,...
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