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.
GRANITE CITY - Junior Antonio Dean aims to break the 50-second barrier in the 400-meter dash by the end of the season, building on a series of strong performances for the Warriors. Dean recently set a personal best of 50.71 seconds at the Collinsville Invite, where he placed seventh, and earlier wo...
GLEN CARBON — Mia Range secured first place in the high jump at the Gateway Metro Conference meet held recently at Althoff Catholic, marking a nearly unheard of fourth consecutive year winning the event. Range cleared a height of 5 feet 2 inches, continuing a strong season that includes a personal...
ALTON/GODFREY — A benefit event to support Wade Gibson, a beloved area hair stylist and business owner facing medical challenges with pancreatic cancer, will be held May 17, 2025, at The Pavilion in Kampsville. The event, organized by friends, family and local businesses, aims to raise funds...
OVERLAND, MO. — A 28-year-old man was charged with resisting arrest following an officer-involved shooting on March 30, 2025, in the 10700 block of Page Avenue, according to St. Louis County authorities. Eddie Washington, of the 11800 block of Cato Drive in Florissant, Mo., was charged on March...
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Bill 1237, which proposed banning school mascots and imagery referencing Native American tribes, failed to advance in the Illinois Senate after missing a Friday, May 9, 2025, procedural deadline to move out of committee. State Senator Erica Harriss, who represents...
ALTON - Brayden Drew, a 150-pound junior wrestler, had another outstanding season. He earned his second sectional trip in the 2024-2025 season. He is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Drew secured his spot in the sectional tournament after winning the Edwardsville Regional....
ALTON/GODFREY - A fallen tree caused a power outage affecting 2,220 customers in the Alton-Godfrey area on Tuesday morning, May 13, 2025, Ameren Illinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch reported. The tree fell on the power lines near Fairmount Avenue and McKinley Boulevard in Alton. "The outage was the...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The Fairview Heights Police Department announced the addition of two new officers, Cody Randolph and Slater McVeigh, who will begin their training at the police academy later this month. Both Randolph and McVeigh have prior military service and are transitioning to roles in loca...
BREESE — 16-year-old Macy M. Haar, a junior at Breese Central Community High School, died in a crash involving a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The incident occurred near Breese, just south of Central High School’s parking lot. Clinton Count...
ALTON - Ameren Illinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch confirmed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, that 2,200 customers in the Alton-Godfrey vicinity were without power around 8:45 a.m. after a downed power line. Crews are in the process of re-routing impacted customers to offer electric sources, he said. "Crews...
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