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.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - St. Charles County Ambulance District Lieutenant Sarah McCarthy, a 23-year veteran of emergency medical services, died Dec. 9, 2025, following complications from a medical emergency while on duty at Station 12 in St. Peters. McCarthy, 48, first experienced chest pain on Nov...
HARDIN - Calhoun-Brussels and Carrollton girls basketball teams continued their strong starts to the 2025-2026 season with victories on Thursday night. Calhoun-Brussels defeated Pittsfield/Griggsville-Perry 45-30 at home on Dec. 11, 2025. The Lady Warriors trailed after the first quarter but tightened...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Tyonna Woodhouse, a Homeless, Attendance and Truancy Officer at James Avant Elementary in East St. Louis School District 189, has been nominated by the Illinois State Board of Education as one of two Illinois nominees for the national 2026 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two women have been charged in connection with a series of retail thefts targeting local businesses in Fairview Heights over the past two months, authorities said this week. The Fairview Heights Police Department, following coordinated investigations, identified Shamyia M....
SPRINGFIELD — Authorities are seeking public assistance in solving a triple homicide that left three people dead, including a 9-year-old boy, at a home on Hoover Avenue in Springfield on Oct. 9, 2025. The victims were identified as 22-year-old Mhy'nesha Day, 21-year-old Devionne Brady, and...
ALTON — Lieutenant Seth Stinnett of the Alton Police Department graduated from the FBI National Academy on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, becoming the 13th officer in department history to complete the prestigious program, Chief Jarrett Ford announced. The graduation ceremony for the 296th session...
JERSEY COUNTY — Just after 11 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2025, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Justin Decker stopped a red minivan on South State Street in Jerseyville, leading to an arrest on drug charges. Four individuals were inside the van at the time of the stop, according to...
HILLSBORO - Marquette Catholic defeated Hillsboro 39-26 in a girls basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Hillsboro. Allie Weiner led the Explorers with 10 points, while Laila Davis contributed six points. Additional scoring for Marquette Catholic came from Jami Jones with four points, Delaney...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Sergeant Tony Flinn of the Fairview Heights Police Department graduated from the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA) in Polk County, Fla., after completing an intensive eight-week executive-level program designed to prepare law enforcement professionals for futur...
BETHALTO — Bethalto Police Chief Jason Lamb has announced that juveniles have been identified in connection with the break-in of Christmas donation boxes at City Park’s Christmas Village . The incident occurred at 5:19 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2025, and was captured on video, which helped polic...
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