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.
KANSAS CITY, MO. - Stanford and Florida State will meet Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in the College Cup national championship game after both teams won their semifinal matches Friday night, Dec. 5, 2025. Lily Freer, a midfielder and Alton High School graduate, will play for Stanford in the contest in Kansas...
JERSEY - Jersey Community High School junior Islee Hileman has been selected for two Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) in two categories for State Bands, the school has announced. Hileman, a trombone player, earned spots in both the State Band and the State Jazz Band but chose to perform...
CHICAGO - Fenwick’s recent 38-28 victory over East St. Louis in the IHSA Class 6A football finals featured key contributions from Travis Williams, a former East Alton-Wood River and University of Illinois standout, and his son, Aiden Williams, a defensive back for Fenwick. Williams was an assistant...
SPARTA — Carrie J. Kelley, 43, of Sparta, was arrested Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, on multiple felony charges related to the alleged theft of more than $1 million from MedStar Ambulance Inc., authorities said. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office announced Kelley’s arrest on warrants fo...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office has issued an arrest warrant in connection with the death of a 3-month-old infant last year. On Nov. 21, 2025, State’s Attorney James Gomric announced a warrant for Shannon L. Williams Jr., 24, charging him...
ALTON — Corbin Radford Barnard, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for his achievements in bowling. Barnard has averaged a 223 score throughout the 2025-2026 season and was part of the first Marquette bowling team to qualify for the state competition last year. Barnar...
ALTON - Mac’s Downtown Alton is partnering with Olga’s Kitchen to bring the restaurant’s fan-favorite dishes to the local community in the coming weeks. The collaboration was announced recently, with plans to launch the new offerings by late December when Olga's closes its location...
COLLINSVILLE — Zack Jenny has been named the 2025 Firefighter of the Year by Collinsville Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2625. Jenny, a firefighter and paramedic with the City since 2018, was recognized for his significant contributions to the department. Jenny serves as the chair of the ambulance...
GRANITE CITY - Photographer Brayden Cook of BC Photography in Granite City captured drone footage and images of the large-scale police operation around 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Cook noted that officers responded to a tip that the suspect was hiding under a back porch, but the individual was...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department officially welcomed Officer Mathew Wilson to its ranks at the beginning of November. Wilson, who has been attending the Illinois State Police Academy, was sworn in to serve the Alton community. The Alton Police Department expressed confidence in Wilson’s...
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