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 - Marquette Catholic's girls tennis team topped Belleville Althoff Catholic 8-1 in a girls tennis match on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the Gordon Moore tennis courts in Alton. Marquette returns to action at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at Metro East Lutheran High School and plays in th...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 recently celebrated its first year as a community school with a Back2School Block Party. The event was aimed to showcase school pride, strengthen community connections, and honor families within the district....
GODFREY - Brian Hoener reached a significant milestone in his coaching career by securing his 400th win across college and high school soccer games with a 10-0 triumph on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, over Waterloo Gibault at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey. The achievement, reached while coaching at Fontbonne...
HIGHLAND - Highland Fire Department has named firefighter/engineer Ron Staroscsak as the recipient of the 2025 Albert’s Diamond Jewelers Hero Award. Staroscsak was recognized for his leadership and dedication during the department’s recent five-year fire insurance ISO audit. The...
GODFREY - Marquette Catholic blanked Waterloo Gibault Catholic 10-0 in a boys soccer match on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at Marquette’s home field at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey. Cameron Golike and Myles Ortmann each scored two goals for Marquette, while T.J. Elisaia, James Fischer, Diego Lara,...
GODFREY, Ill. — Mayor Michael J. McCormick vetoed Ordinance #27-2025, passed during the village board meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 2, 2025, citing concerns about overtaxing residents of Godfrey. In a letter to the Village Trustees, McCormick referenced Illinois statutes 65 ILCS 5/6-4-2 and 6...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Alton Redbirds girls volleyball squad opened its season with some success at the Windsor Tournament in Imperial, Mo., over the weekend, and it continued also into a solid performance against Edwardsville on Tuesday night, Sept. 2, 2025, at Edwardsville. Edwardsville won in two...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville girls volleyball team made a successful return to their home, Lucco-Jackson Gym, as well as opened their 2025 season on a successful note, taking a straight set win over Alton 25-20, 25-12 Tuesday evening, Sept. 2, 2025, in the Southwestern Conference opener for...
WOOD RIVER — Jersey High School’s boys soccer team is off to a strong start in the 2025 season, securing three consecutive wins without a loss. The Panthers claimed the championship at the East Alton-Wood River Invite on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, by defeating Southwestern 3-2 in a...
ROXANA - This is a summary of the final day of action in the Roxana Volleyball Tourney on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. On the final day of the Roxana Invitational, Marquette Catholic won over Greenfield Northwestern 25-8, 26-24, Dupo defeated Madison 25-14, 25-21, Carrollton won over Granite City 25-13,...
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