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.
ROXANA — A giant buck startled students and staff when it appeared on the playground at Central Intermediate Elementary School, officials said. The deer was first seen on the blacktop area of the school playground before it jumped over a six-foot fence and left the premises, according to Christine...
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and...
ALTON — To mark the third anniversary of Nourished Revival, organizer Abigail Parker has launched a fundraiser in partnership with Riverbend Rescue, a local nonprofit serving families and children in the Riverbend area for the past two years. The campaign aims to provide personalized Christmas...
Photos by Tom Warner. STAUNTON - A large crowd gathered on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, to support Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, a 41-year-old Staunton business owner detained last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sandoval, owner of Caldera Bar & Grill in Staunton, was detained on Oct....
WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Police Department has announced that 47-year-old woman - Angelynn "Angie" Mock - was arrested early Friday morning, Oct. 31, 2025, in connection with the fatal stabbing of her 80-year-old mother in southeast Wichita. Mock previously worked as a news anchor at FOX ...
JERSEYVILLE — An 8-year-old boy from Jerseyville is making a notable impact in his community by helping to support the homeless. Dennis, the young boy, has significant support with the local initiative connected to his mother’s cleaning business, TNT. Dennis, described by his mother a...
ALTON — The Alton Halloween Parade once again attracted hundreds of people and was very well-received along the entire route in Downtown Alton on Friday evening, Oct. 31, 2025, according to Steve Schwartz of East End Improvement, the parade’s longtime sponsor. East End Improvement...
ALTON — Alton Police Officer Lane Lawson and his K9 partner, Riggs, graduated from the K9 Academy this past, the Alton Police Department announced. The training program included instruction in tracking, narcotics detection, and suspect apprehension. With the completion of the academy,...
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Halloween Parade Friday evening, Oct. 31, 2025, drawing families and children eager to celebrate the holiday with festive floats and candy. The parade began promptly at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School in...
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