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.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - A 3-year-old boy from Fairview Heights, Ill., is drawing attention in a Toddler of the Year competition benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, where he is currently in first place in his group, as his fascination with tractors, lawn equipment and skilled trades resonates with supporters...
EDWARDSVILLE - Sammy Huber was one of Metro East Lutheran’s key performers during the Knights’ 2026 baseball season, batting over .500 with 38 hits and 26 RBIs while finishing his career with a batting average over .400. Game after game, Huber produced at the plate for Metro East Lutheran,...
ROXANA - Roxana incoming junior Josie Brannon emerged as one of the Roxana Shells’ top softball hitters in 2026 while also settling into the shortstop position, according to Roxana Girls Head Softball Coach Pat Brannon. Brannon, a multi-sport athlete who also has played volleyball and girls...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said it received a donation for its K-9 program from the Alton River Dragons, continuing a tradition tied to the team’s First Responders Night jersey raffle. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford thanked Steve Marso and the Alton River Dragons for what he described...
ALTON - Abe Lee Barham has restarted the Alton Inner City Community Garden in Alton’s 2nd Ward area on Dooley Drive, behind the senior citizen complex, with support from the Alton Housing Authority and local aldermen, as he begins the program’s fifth year of teaching inner-city youth ho...
JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Post 492 Junior Legion team is state-bound after a big 2-1 victory over Galesburg . Jerseyville won the Department of Illinois American Legion 3rd Division Junior Legion Tournament in Galesburg, defeating Galesburg 2-1 in the division title game and advancing t...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric said this week he will not file criminal charges against an Illinois state trooper in the Jan. 4, 2026, fatal shooting of Rachel E. Tarrence in East St. Louis, after reviews by his office and the Illinois State Police Division...
MITCHELL - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating Beatrice Robertson, a 45-year-old white woman who was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday, July 20, in the Mitchell area. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said Robertson has brown hair...
ST. LOUIS - A 44-year-old woman was critically injured early Tuesday, July 21, 2026, after gunfire from outside her Greater Ville residence struck the home, prompting a St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 investigation, authorities said. Officers were called just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jul...
ST. LOUIS - A 36-year-old St. Louis man, Gregory Seddens, died after a shooting on Thursday, July 16, 2026, on the 4100 block of North Grand, St. Louis Metropolitan Police said. St. Louis District 4 officers responded to the shooting at about 1:45 p.m. on July 16 and found Seddens...
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