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 - Granite City Police authorities are investigating the discovery of a deceased individual at the intersection of Alton Street and Pontoon Road. At 9:33 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, officers from the Granite City Police Department responded to the scene in Madison County. The Granite...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A Southern Illinois jury convicted Demarkee D. Jimerson, 45, of drug distribution and gun charges stemming from a July 2021 search of his Cahokia Heights home, federal officials announced on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Jimerson was found guilty of possession with intent to...
O'FALLON, IL. — Police responded Wednesday night, April 16, 2025, to reports of gunfire in the 500 block of Ponderosa in O'Fallon, where a 34-year-old woman fired multiple shots during an altercation, authorities said. At approximately 9:53 p.m. April 16, 2025, O'Fallon Police officers arrived...
EAST ALTON - Wood River Township recently installed a new bathroom facility at Kutter Park in East Alton. The township continued to enhance the amenities at the location after multiple pickleball courts were added in recent months. The concrete bathroom building, constructed off-site, was transported...
GODFREY - The 17th annual Christmas in July event, hosted by Taylor and Lily Freer at Freer Auto Body, is set from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for July 18, 2025, in Godfrey. The fundraiser supports Community Christmas, a program sponsored by United Way that provides assistance to local families in need during...
ALTON - AP Cigar continues monthly cigar events in Downtown Alton and Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2025, is the next one. The AP Cigar event at 202 State Street in Alton is slated from 3 to 6 p.m., then the event moves over the Mac's in Downtown Alton from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for a nightcap....
WOOD RIVER - An area National Day of Prayer service is set at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Wood River Roundhouse. Organizer Debbie Ward said the event will take place outside at the bandstand if weather permits, or inside the building if conditions are unfavorable. Meteorologist Mike...
GODFREY — The Godfrey Fire Protection District expressed gratitude to the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council and Godfrey Meat Market for providing lunch to firefighters following a morning of training on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The North Alton-Godfrey Business Council generously supplie...
EDWARDSVILLE - Audrey De La Torre Cruz came up with two hits and a RBI, while pitcher Riley Nelson helped herself with a hit and two RBIs during a fateful fifth inning, where Edwardsville scored three runs and took a 4-2 win over Hardin Calhoun in a softball game played Wednesday afternoon at the...
ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford reported two separate crashes in Alton on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, occurring within 10 minutes of each other. The first incident took place at 3:25 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and West 10th Street. According to Chief...
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