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.
BUNKER HILL - The Bunker Hill High School boys Minutemen basketball squad secured at least a share of the MSM Conference championship with their 21st win at Nokomis on Thursday night, Feb. 12, 2026. Bunker Hill is 21-6 overall with an 8-1 mark in the MSM Conference, which includes Macoupin...
ALTON - Chris and Barb Childers of Alton say they start and end each day with the same routine: a kiss and the words “I love you,” a practice they describe as key to staying close in their marriage. The couple, who met Aug. 14, 1979, and married on Oct. 27, 2013, were high school sweethearts...
EDWARDSVILLE - Guard Mia Semith led Edwardsville with 19 points in a sensational performance on Senior Night as the Tigers jumped out to an early lead and took a 56-33 win over Granite City in the regular season finale for both teams Thursday night, Feb. 12, 2026, at Lucco-Jackson Gym. In the annual...
BUNKER HILL - Cole Yates set a new Bunker Hill boys basketball scoring record Monday night, Feb. 9, 2026, pouring in 30 points as the Minutemen beat Lebanon 75-19 at home on Senior Night. Yates finished the game with 1,587 career points, breaking the previous school record held by Dan Bishop...
ST. LOUIS - A 19-year-old St. Louis man has been accused in a federal indictment of robbing someone at gunpoint on the grounds of Gateway Arch National Park, a case that investigators say stemmed from an online arrangement to buy shoes. Thomas Durgins was indicted on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights police are warning residents about a computer pop-up scam after the department received a report on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, that an elderly victim lost $90,000 in what authorities described as “computer pop-up fraud.” According to the Fairview...
BUNKER HILL — The Bunker Hill Fire Department Co. 1 hosted an ice rescue training session Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The ice training included 20 members from Station 1 in Bunker Hill, Station 2 in Shipman, and 10 members of the Brighton Betsy Ann Fire Protection District for a six-hou...
CASEYVILLE - A man accused of fleeing police in two separate incidents in Caseyville, Ill., including one in which a utility terrain vehicle overturned during a pursuit, has been charged with multiple offenses, the Caseyville Police Department said. Bobby J. Mahan, a white male born April...
O'FALLON, IL. - The O’Fallon Police Department welcomed a new officer to its ranks on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, swearing in Officer Maci Stein during a ceremony that included department staff, fellow officers, and family members. Stein joined the department after serving three years...
EAST ALTON - Janet and Dennis Weber of East Alton say they experienced “love at first sight” when they met April 11, 1980. Janet Weber said the couple has been living together since April 21, 1980, and later married on Dec. 21, 1990. “We have been living together since April 21...
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