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.
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School recently recognized the retirement of Johanna Runion-Piper, a Career and Technical Education paraprofessional, celebrating her service to the school community and her support for students and staff. The Civic Memorial High School administration...
BREESE — Father McGivney Catholic won its 19th match of the season Friday, May 22, 2026, defeating Breese Central 7-0 to capture the IHSA Class 1A Breese Central Regional in Breese behind three goals from Layla Tobin. The Griffins secured the regional title with Tobin leading the attack....
FERGUSON, Mo. — A 4-month-old baby girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert in Ferguson was found safe Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, authorities said, while the suspect identified in the case remained at large. The Missouri State Highway Patrol launched the search after the baby was taken...
EDWARDSVILLE - Anna Maxim, Grace Hughes, and Olivia Wolz all scored in the penalty shootout, while goalie Genny Burroughs made two critical saves as Edwardsville won the IHSA Class 3A girls soccer regional title over Belleville West 1-0 Friday evening, May 22, 2026, at Tiger Stadium. The win advances...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic's girls soccer squad captured its eighth straight regional title with a 6-0 shutout of Roxana on Friday night, May 22, 2026, at Public School Stadium in Alton. This was Marquette's 18th girls' regional soccer championship win. Jessica Eales was in goal for the Explorers...
CHARLESTON - The Jersey Community High School girls' track and field team competed May 22, 2026, at the IHSA State 2A Meet, where the Panthers’ 4x200-meter relay team placed 20th overall with a time of 1:46.09. The Panthers' high jump standout, Morgan Allen, also advanced to the...
ALTON - The City of Alton has announced C. E. Mahoney will begin resurfacing Fosterburg Road on Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, June 5, 2026, during daytime work hours. According to the city, the work will take place on Fosterburg Road at IL-255 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting....
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s boys track and field team finished second with 69 points behind Chatham Glenwood’s 87 at the Bloomington Sectional on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as 10 Tigers entries qualified for the state meet. Belleville East and Belleville West each scored 59 points. Granite...
BETHALTO – As expected, Civic Memorial’s Max Weber came through in the Triad 2A Boys Track and Field Sectional on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with two first places in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Weber blazed to a first-place time of 4:16.93 in the 1,600 meters and first in the 3,200 meters...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic's Jack Beaber won the discus and also qualified in the shot put for state at the Triad Boys 2A Track and Field Sectional, delivering a performance that his coach said reflected his ability to rise to the moment regardless of classification. Beaber won the discus with a thro...
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