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.
EAST ST. LOUIS — The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a 40-year-old woman dead near a convenience store in East St. Louis on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The incident occurred around 10:08 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, near the 4500 block of South...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide that occurred early Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2026, in the 2000 block of Switzer Avenue in Jennings. Officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded at 2:27 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, to a shooting report, where they found...
EAST ST. LOUIS — The Finance Team at East St. Louis School District 189 received high marks after an external audit was presented recently during a meeting of the District 189 Financial Oversight Panel. Auditors from Baker Tilly delivered their findings at the panel meeting, confirmin...
EDWARDSVILLE - Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100’s middle school wrestling team secured second place at the Jon Davis Edwardsville Middle School Tournament, held recently in Edwardsville. Competing against 15 teams, Jersey Community Middle School (JCMS) wrestlers earne...
WEST ALTON - Sallie Mottley and her children are seeking community support following the sudden death of her husband, Ronald Mottley, who was found deceased after a car accident in West Alton, Mo., on Missouri Highway 367 on Dec. 26, 2025. The accident occurred when their family vehicle...
GODFREY - Godfrey officials announced that Pierce Lane will be temporarily closed to through traffic starting Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, to allow Illinois American Water and its subcontractor, Loellke Plumbing, to retire an old water main line and complete related improvements. The closure will affect...
GRANITE CITY - Brayden Drew of Alton won the 165-pound championship, while Belleville East's Jonathan Rulo took the title at 285 pounds, as Jackson, Mo., won the 64th annual William "Red" Schmitt Holiday Wrestling Tournament in the finals, held on Tuesday evening at Granite City Memorial Gym....
CALHOUN COUNTY — After 19 years of service, Sheriff William “Bill” Heffington announced his retirement from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, effective immediately on Dec. 31, 2025. The announcement was made by the Sheriff’s Office at their Calhoun County headquarters...
LAS VEGAS — Dr. Taylor Marie Gerson, a microbiology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was named the 2025 UNLV Rebel Grad Slam 3-Minute Thesis Champion on Dec. 16, 2025, the day she also received her doctorate during the Graduate College Commencement. Carolyn...
ALTON — David Davis, a retired machine adjuster and group leader with 40 years of experience at Olin, was the head grandpa for this year’s Christmas Wonderland at Rock Spring Park. The annual holiday lights display, featuring more than 4 million lights, was held from Nov. 28, 2025,...
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