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.
BELLEVILLE — Woodland Elementary School in Edwarsville Assistant Principal Ali Hiller has been named the Illinois Principals Association Southwest Region Assistant Principal of the Year. The recognition was presented Thursday evening, Jan. 15, 2026, at the...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School graduate Chase Reeves is committing to NCAA Division I Liberty University. Liberty competes at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level as a member of Conference USA (CUSA). Reeves earned 2025 First-Team All-GLVC kicker honors at McKendree University...
ALTON - Corbin Barnard of Marquette Catholic secured the individual regional crown Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Alton with a top score of 1,339. Barnard qualified first overall in the competition for the upcoming sectional. Joining Barnard in advancing were teammates Logan Sherman, a junior who finished...
ALTON - The Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 boys bowling team placed third at the Alton Regional tournament, held Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, advancing to the sectional meet. The competition took place in Alton, Illinois. Civic Memorial led the team standings with a score o...
ALTON - Alton’s boys bowling team finished second at the regional tournament Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, scoring 6,018 points, just behind Civic Memorial’s 6,034. “We bowled great and were in first all day,” Alton head boys bowling coach Ray Lewis said. “We had one bad...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect connected to a burglary that took place in the early morning hours of January 18, 2026. Officials released the above images of the individual and asked anyone with information...
EDWARDSVILLE - Students from the Jersey Community High School band were selected to participate in the SIUE Bi-State Bands event held Friday and Saturday at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The students traveled to SIUE on Friday evening for initial practice sessions, followed by all-da...
ALTON — Civic Memorial High School senior Jude Breyer finished in fourth place individually at the IHSA Regional Bowling Tournament at Alton, contributing to the Eagles’ team victory and advancing them to the sectional competition. Shown above are CM bowlers. The CM bowling boys are...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Ka'Ontee Johnson, 30, of the 1400 block of Comet Drive in St. Louis, was identified as the pedestrian fatally struck early Saturday morning, Jan. 17, 2026, in the 9000 block of Lucas and Hunt Road, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. The incident occurre...
ALTON — Woody’s Chicken, a well-known local brand that closed in 2019, made a test comeback on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, by serving its signature chicken tenders from a food truck. The event took place at the Mr. Everything parking lot, 211 E. Elm St., starting at 10 a.m. and will continue...
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