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.
COLLINSVILLE — Collinsville author Thelma Ball has published a new book documenting the history of two major World War II defense plants in Illiopolis. "Illinois Munitions: A News Journal of the Oak & Sangamon Ordnance Plants 1942-1950 Illiopolis, Illinois," explores the development and operations...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A former bank president and a contractor has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in a scheme that involved falsifying loan applications to obtain funds between 2011 and 2020. Francis Eversman, 74, of Collinsville, and Gregg Crawford, 65, of Columbia, admitted...
MARYVILLE - Lisa Becherer has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her sister Cheryl Hays-Ridgeway and Cheryl’s husband, John, of Maryville, who have faced a series of serious health and financial challenges over the past decade. The fundraiser aims to provide financial relief to the couple,...
ALTON - Alton High School has named Deiondre Riney as the new head coach of its girls basketball team, the school announced Thursday, July 3, 2025. Riney, a 2019 graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia and St. Pius X High School in Crystal City, Mo., will replace Deserea Howard, who stepped...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Three juvenile males were arrested following an attempted vehicle theft and subsequent foot chase on June 30, 2025, according to the Fairview Heights Police Department. At approximately 8:30 p.m. on June 30, Fairview Heights Police officers responded to a report from...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Evette “Betty” Osuegbu, 62, of Granite City, was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison for orchestrating a series of arsons and insurance fraud schemes spanning nearly a decade. A jury in East St. Louis found Osuegbu guilty in December on all 15 counts...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Lauren Reid-Tamburello was sworn in as a new police officer for the Fairview Heights Police Department, bringing nearly five years of law enforcement experience and a strong commitment to public service to her new role. Reid-Tamburello, a Collinsville native and graduate...
JERSEYVILLE — Thomas C. Thompson, former mayor of Grafton and founder of the Alton Flames hockey team, died June 30, 2025, at the age of 84, surrounded by his family. Born Jan. 17, 1941, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Thompson was recognized for his diverse contributions as an educational administrator...
ALTON - Alton High School senior Trenton Hyman was named a National Merit Finalist for the 2024 academic year. The school recognized him for his exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and extracurricular involvement, placing him among the top-performing students nationwide. The National Merit...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Thania Vasquez, 28, of Caseyville, died in a crash on Interstate 44 early Sunday morning, June 29, 2025, the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed. The accident occurred at 11:53 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, near Mraz Lane on westbound Interstate 44....
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