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 - The St. Mary’s Oktoberfest announced its $10,000 Sweepstakes winners on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, recognizing Kathy Budde as the first-place prize recipient. The event, held annually at St. Mary’s, featured a sweepstakes drawing that awarded cash prizes to the top ten participants....
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville's girls tennis squad appears primed and ready for the Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18, 2025, girls sectional at EHS after a dominant Southwestern Conference Tennis Tournament win on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11, 2025. Edwardsville girls tennis coach Dave Lipe said...
TROY — Edwardsville girls flag football coach Taylor Hay praised Mascoutah for their Cinderella run to the postseason tournament, despite ending the season with a 4-8 overall record. The two teams faced off on Monday night, Oct. 13, 2025, in a sectional semifinal game where Edwardsville emerged...
TROY - Quarterback Ella Wallace threw three touchdown passes, two to Sophie Shapiro, while Shapiro scored three times as Edwardsville's girls flag football team romped by Mascoutah 32-13 in the IHSA Danville sectional semifinal game Monday evening, Oct. 13, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Triad High...
EDWARDSVILLE – It’s the end of an era for the boys soccer team at Edwardsville High School as head coach Mark Heiderscheid coached his final home game, a 1-1 draw against Normal Community West on Oct. 13, 2025, at Tiger Stadium. In a special pregame ceremony, Heiderscheid, surrounded...
EDWARDSVILLE – Zane Maxwell scored off a nifty crossing pass from Antonio De Avila in the fifth minute, but a goal by Normal Community West in the 48th minute canceled it out, as Edwardsville and the Wildcats played to a 1-1 draw in the boys soccer home season finale Monday afternoon at Tiger...
ALTON - Randy, known from the television series "Trailer Park Boys," is bringing a unique event called Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic to Peoria on Oct. 27 and Carbondale on Oct. 30, 2025. The gatherings promise a blend of food, music, games, and lighthearted entertainment, reflecting the spirit...
ALTON - Kathy Budde emerged as the top raffle winner in the $10,000 Sweepstakes at St. Mary's Oktoberfest, held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 10-12, 2025, on the church grounds in Alton. The annual event, overseen this year by new Chairman Ryan Downey, featured a range of activities including a 5...
ALTON — Marquette Catholic High School will host its annual Pink Out Night to raise breast cancer awareness during a volleyball match against Gibault Catholic on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. The event, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., will feature both JV and varsity teams wearing special pink jerseys....
ALTON - The most recent Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird Senior Sam Caughran has stayed busy through his high school career in music and academics. Sam is an integral part of the Wind Ensemble, the pit orchestra for the plays, Marching 100 and also the Symphonic Orchestra....
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