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.
JERSEYVILLE - Quincy DeSherlia, a freshman at Jersey Community High School, continued to improve this spring track and field season for Jersey Community High School. Quincy is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for Jersey. At the Granite City Invite, DeSherlia posted a time of 2:20.75 in the...
PIASA - Outfielder Sydney Valdes was a standout for the Southwestern Piasa Birds softball squad in Spring 2025. Sydney is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Southwestern High School’s Sydney Valdes has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Lincoln...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A 23-year-old St. Jacob woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 255 southbound near Forest Boulevard in St. Clair County on Tuesday morning, June 3, 2025. The St. Clair County coroner confirmed the victim as Jacquelyn B. Rucker, 23, of St. Jacob. The Illinois Stat...
CHARLESTON — Belleville West junior Jayln Cole achieved a major milestone Saturday, May 31, 2025, by winning the Illinois 110-meter high hurdles state championship with a time of 13.82 seconds at the state meet in Charleston. Cole, who set a goal early in the season to break 14 seconds and clai...
COLUMBIA — A fundraiser has been launched to support Allen Lalk, a Columbia Hockey Club coach and Uber driver who was shot in the face early Saturday, May 31, 2025, during a robbery attempt in Columbia, Ill. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when Lalk was held at gunpoint by two passengers...
COTTAGE HILLS — Madison County Sheriff's deputies responded Monday afternoon, June 2, 2025, to a report of a dog biting individuals inside a home in the 200 block of S. Oak Street in Cottage Hills. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido said officers were dispatched to the residence...
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — An illegal immigrant from India residing in the United States was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, defrauding them of more than $400,000. Nirav B. Patel, 44...
SWANSEA - At a Village Board meeting, the Swansea Police Department honored Sgt. Erin Huff and Officer Derek Schackmann for their lifesaving response to a stabbing victim on May 16, 2025. The incident stemmed from a domestic situation originating in another jurisdiction. Upon arrival, Sgt....
BETHALTO - Quentin Roose recently completed his senior year at Civic Memorial High School after an illustrious career from everything to athletics, and a diverse portfolio of extracurricular activities, leadership roles and community service. Roose has been involved in ice hockey for four years,...
ALTON — Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on May 28, 2025, in the 3100 block of Lawn Street, Alton Police Department officials announced on Monday, June 2, 2025. The Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine’s Office charged Hosea J. Burgess...
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