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.
ALTON — Jim Wigger, the founder of the Great River Road Run, a Thanksgiving weekend tradition in Alton that has lasted 66 years, is being remembered by friends and community members for his lasting impact on local running and youth athletics. The annual race, which began in 1957, was started...
ALTON — Jim Wigger, the legendary Alton High School track and cross country coach , died recently at the age of 94. Arrangements are pending at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Former athletes and community members plan to honor Wigger’s legacy with a silent lap around the Jim Wigger Track...
GRAFTON - Two men were airlifted for emergency treatment on Nov. 9, 2025, after a propane tank exploded inside a duck blind near Grafton, leaving one with severe burns and the other recovering at home. Seth Allen and another man named Caleb were injured when the propane tank explosion caused a fir...
COLLINSVILLE — Collinsville High School math teacher Bill Gottschalk recently took part in an online discussion activity hosted by the New York Times Learning Network , marking his fifth time participating in the program. The event featured a graph illustrating the average number of children...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Three 16-year-old males have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy in St. Louis County last month, authorities said. On Oct. 31, 2025, a 16-year-old male suspect was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder and unlawful us...
JERSEYVILLE — Roger E. Page, 63, was charged Nov. 5, 2025, with Unlawful Possession with Intent to Deliver 15 to 100 grams of Methamphetamine, a Class X felony, Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten has announced. If convicted, Page faces six to 30 years in prison. The charges...
ALTON — Internet and telephone services were disrupted Wednesday morning, Nov. 19, 2025, for many residents and public service entities in Alton, Illinois, including Riverbender.com offices, following what Spectrum described as a “criminal attack” on its communications infrastructure....
O’FALLON, IL. — Grant Litteken, M.P.A., ICMA-CM, has been confirmed as the new City Administrator of O’Fallon, IL., following a unanimous vote by the O’Fallon City Council on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Mayor Eric Van Hook appointed Litteken, who brings more than 14 years of experience...
JERSEY — Erica Heitzig, a teacher at Jersey Community High School, has been honored with the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for her dedication to students and commitment to the Jersey community. Heitzig, who works within Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100, manages multiple roles...
PIASA — Josie Hagen, a senior athlete at Southwestern High School, has signed a letter of intent to play softball and attend Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. Hagen's career batting average at Southwestern High is .328, with 83 hits and 77 RBI since her freshman year. Josie is...
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