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.
MADISON COUNTY - Illinois State Police said a truck-tractor semi-trailer overturned Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2026, on Interstate 255 near the Seminary Road exit in Alton, blocking all northbound lanes and forcing traffic to divert. The crash was reported about 1:35 p.m. Feb. 9, near milepost 16 i...
ALTON - Marquan Knight of Alton, 22, faces multiple charges after authorities alleged he shot a man during an incident Feb. 7, 2026, at a residence in Alton in the 1300 block of Lawn Street in the Alton Acres Housing Project. Knight is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm (a Class X...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Illinois State Police investigators have arrested a Kansas man accused of firing at multiple vehicles during a pursuit in St. Clair County, authorities said. Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 special agents arrested 33-year-old Drew D. Smading of...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 17-year-old male was arrested Sunday and remanded to the custody of the St. Louis County Family Court in connection with the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Shannon O’Brien, whose death is under investigation after officers responded to reports of shots fired in Ferguson, Missouri...
JACKSONVILLE - Civic Memorial High School’s girls wrestling team came up one point short of a regional title over the weekend in Jacksonville, finishing second at the IHSA girls wrestling Illinois School for the Deaf Regional and advancing seven wrestlers to next week’s sectional. Springfie...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School in the East St. Louis School District 189 recently recognized counselor Sydnie Blackmon-Harris, citing her daily support of students and her role as a trusted adult for many on campus. The school said it was celebrating Blackmon-Harris...
ELDRED - Randall and Sheryll Suhr, a couple from Eldred, say their relationship has been rooted in friendship since they met on May 23, 1991, and that bond has continued through their marriage, which took place on Dec. 22, 2022. The Suhrs said they have remained “Best Friends since the day w...
ALTON - Alton’s Semaj Stampley set a new all-time scoring record for the Rebirds boys basketball program on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, reaching the milestone during a 75-39 loss to Vashon at the O’Fallon Shootout. Stampley now has 1,500 for his Alton career after the contest with Vashon....
GODFREY - Alexis Gilchrese and Ronald Gilchrese of Godfrey say their relationship spans years, from early dating in middle school and high school to reconnecting later and marrying on Sept. 30, 2023. The couple first met or started dating on July 24, 2021. Alexis Gilchrese described what makes their...
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