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.
MARYVILLE, IL. — Maryville Christian School inducted 25 new members into its National Honor Society chapter during a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the school. The students were recognized for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The induction ceremony...
WOOD RIVER - Keaton Magurany, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School (EAWR), has been recognized for his outstanding performance in soccer, currently holding a high spot across the region for saves. Magurany has been playing soccer since elementary school and credits his perseverance and dedicatio...
COLLINSVILLE — A collision between a pickup truck and a semi-truck on Interstate 55 northbound south of Fairmont Avenue early Sunday morning, Oct. 5, 2025, resulted in one fatality and one injury, according to the Illinois State Police. The crash occurred at approximately 3:01 a.m. Oct. 5...
JERSEYVILLE — Junior Kaden Strohbeck is making a notable impact in boys' cross country this season for Jersey Community High School, earning recognition as the Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Strohbeck has posted several personal records and strong finishes in recent...
ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has three major programs for the month of October. The 2025 Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl encourages people to visit different libraries across the state. Similarly, Hayner’s Adult Fall Scavenger Hunt aims to bring...
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Athletic Department apologized after a switch was accidentally flipped by a worker, shutting off the stadium lights during the Edwardsville-East St. Louis football game on Friday night, Oct. 3, 2025. “This was a mistake and we are truly sorry for the disruption...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are investigating a murder-suicide that left two adults dead on Sunday night, Oct. 5, 2025, in the 100 block of Chinon Drive. At approximately 11:36 p.m. on Oct. 5, officers...
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville High School’s Marching Kahoks took second place out of 17 bands at the Gene Hunt Invitational on Saturday evening, Oct. 4, 2025, in Washington, Mo. The Washington, Mo., event is one of the longest-running marching band festivals in the state and each year features...
EFFINGHAM - Civic Memorial High School’s marching band earned top honors at the Effingham Marching Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, taking home Best Percussion and Best Color Guard awards in Class 4A. The Marching Eagles competed in Effingham, showcasing their skills in front o...
ALTON — Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal traffic crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Grace Bustos of Alton on October 3, 2025. Zachary A. Shewmake, 28, of Glen Carbon, was charged Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office with tw...
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