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.
EDWARDSVILLE - Brandon Wong will continue his tennis career at Illinois Wesleyan University after a high school career at Edwardsville in which he became a four-time letter winner with more than 100 career victories and earned top conference honors. Wong is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month....
ALTON — Alton youth will head to Skateway Roller Skating Rink on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, as part of the city’s summer road-trip program led by community leaders Rosetta Brown and Tammy Perry. Organizers announced the upcoming excursion as the next event in the annual youth tradition, which...
PIASA - Kaden Matuska of Southwestern won Macoupin County championships in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles on May 7, 2026, highlighting a strong season in hurdle events and multiple relay appearances. The county titles came as Matuska completed his junior season...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School basketball player Mia Semith has signed to play at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she will continue her career after becoming one of the top players in the program’s history. Semith is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month. Semith, who...
ST. LOUIS - A man was injured in a shooting late Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in St. Louis’ Academy neighborhood, and a 27-year-old man was arrested as St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 officers investigate what police said likely stemmed from an earlier disagreement. The shooting happened...
ALTON - After 46 years at Alton Memorial Hospital, President Dave Braasch will retire at the end of the year, the hospital said in an announcement praising his long tenure and support for local health care. The announcement said Braasch has been “a key player in the success of Alton Memorial...
ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital announced that Dr. Ahmad Karadaghy is the recipient of the 2025 Alton Memorial Hospital Chairman’s Award, recognizing his commitment to the hospital’s mission, vision and values through patient care, involvement in the hospital and service....
EDWARDSVILLE - A 13-14 girls 50-yard butterfly race at the SWISA Championships Meet took on added significance Sunday, July 19, 2026, when Annie Tucker, 13, matched a first-place family milestone by winning the event in 34.53 seconds, equaling a feat her mother achieved 26 years earlier. Annie, a...
HARDIN - Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin said a mutual intergovernmental agreement signed July 1, 2026, will add a full-time deputy sheriff in exchange for 40 hours of weekly scheduled police protection and extra patrols in the Village of Hardin. Sheriff Hardin said he helped arrange the deal...
EDWARDSVILLE - Katie Woods is a standout tennis player from Edwardsville High School whose career was highlighted by a fifth-place finish in state doubles, multiple postseason titles, and a college commitment to McKendree University. Woods has been featured prominently on Riverbender.com and EdGlenToday.com...
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