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.
HAMEL — The Bread Of Life Food Pantry in Hamel is launching a capital campaign to raise funds for relocating and constructing a new pantry building, organizers announced this week. The project, approved by the Alhambra Hamel Ministerial Alliance, aims to build a facility just down the road from...
Click here to view the Staunton vs. Roxana game live on Riverbender.com. STAUNTON - In a Dec. 20, 2025, game against Calhoun, Bryce Coalson, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, had one of the "greatest shooting performances" Staunton's Head Boys Basketball Coach Ty Laux could ever remember. Coalson was...
STAUNTON - As high school teams head into the second half of the season, Staunton boys basketball is standing tall with a 10-1 overall record. The Bulldogs meet another top-notch team, Roxana, who has an 11-4 overall mark on the season at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. The game will be live...
EDWARDSVILLE - After 42 years of law enforcement service, Director Robert Rizzi has retired from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, officials have announced. Director Rizzi concluded his career after serving as Director of Special Operations at the Madison County Sheriff’s...
GILLESPIE - Calhoun captured its ninth win with a 58-18 boys basketball thumping of Gillespie on Monday night, Jan. 5, 2026, at Gillespie. Lane Eilerman had 12 points, Rodney Johnson had 10 points, Charlie Matthews had 7 points, Jacob Brannan had 6 points, and Jack Zipprich had 5 points. Easton Wallendorf,...
GRANITE CITY - Sydney Houston emerged as a key player for Granite City High School’s girls golf team during the fall 2025 season, demonstrating consistent performance and skill on the course. The senior golfer, recognized as the Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month, is praised...
PETERSBURG - Chloe McAdams had a game-high 23 points, and Blake Driskill and Hayden McMurtie both poured in 16 points each to propel Carrollton to a 73-56 victory over Porta/Ashland-Chanderville Central at Porta High School in Petersburg on Monday, Jan. 6, 2026. The Hawks are now 14-4 overall on th...
SHILOH — The Shiloh Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating 30-year-old Sahab Bashir, who was reported missing on Monday, Dec. 9, 2026. According to police, Bashir left her residence on foot around noon on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2025, and has not been seen since. Authorities noted...
ALTON — Marquette Catholic’s Chase Jones scored 33 points to lead the Explorers to a 67-64 overtime victory over No. 9-ranked Columbia on Dec. 29, 2025, during the Columbia-Freeburg Holiday Tournament. The win marked Marquette Catholic’s 11th of the season under head coach Steve...
ALTON - The Alton High School girls bowling team returned to competition Monday night, Jan. 5, 2026, defeating Belleville West Maroons at Bowl Haven Lanes. The varsity squad won decisively, 37-3, while the junior varsity team secured a 7-0 victory. During the varsity match, several Redbirds...
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