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.
CLINTON COUNTY - A 65-year-old woman from Swansea died Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in a head-on collision on U.S. 50 at St. Rose Road in Clinton County, authorities said. Margaret Smith was pronounced dead at 1:43 p.m. on Monday at the scene, according to the Clinton County Coroner's Office. The Illinois...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City School District #9 received a $5,000 donation from United States Steel Corporation to support student hygiene needs for the 2025-26 school year. The contribution was announced recently at Granite City, where district and company representatives gathered to mark the occasion...
ST. LOUIS - Daniel Tossey, a 17-year-old senior at Edwardsville High School, began his first season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra by performing at the ensemble’s inaugural concert in the newly renovated Powell Hall on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Tossey, who plays clarinet, joined the...
EDWARDSVILLE - Ian Kim, a 10th grader and violist, and an Edwardsville student, joined other young musicians in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra at the newly renovated Powell Hall on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in St. Louis. The event marked a significant milestone for the youth ensemble, showcasing...
GRANITE CITY — The Granite City Police Department has welcomed Freddy Edwards back after he graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy and is preparing to begin field training with the department. Edwards, a Granite City High School alumnus and former college football...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Grandparents Day at James Avant Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, brought students and their grandparents together for a day filled with celebration and connection. The event honored the important role grandparents play...
BRIGHTON - A motorcycle was struck by a car at 7:29 a.m. Monday on Crystal Lake Road just east of Grange Hall Road in Brighton, resulting in a head injury to the motorcyclist, authorities said. The victim, a 38-year-old man, was riding the motorcycle when he was hit by a car driven by an 18-year-old...
CASEYVILLE — The Caseyville Police Department announced the arrest and charging of two men in connection with a series of burglaries and thefts targeting local businesses between May and September 2025. On September 5, officers apprehended Jerry L. B. McCallister, 39, of Granite City, and...
MADISON COUNTY — Deputies Jonas Barnes and Max Ringering graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy, Session 156, and received awards during the ceremony, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced this week. Deputy Barnes was honored with the Southwestern...
BELLEVILLE - Steven Brown ran for three touchdowns for Belleville Althoff Catholic, while quarterback Blake Gelly had two touchdown passes and ran for a third for Highland, as the defending IHSA Class 1A champion Crusaders outlasted the Bulldogs 42-26 in a highly entertaining football game played...
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