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 — Civic Memorial High School’s girls volleyball team secured fifth place at the Roxana Volleyball Invite held on August 30, 2025, in Roxana. The CM Eagles returned to Bethalto after a competitive day that included victories over Auburn and Carrollton. In their first match, Civic...
ALTON — An accident occurred Sunday afternoon, Aug. 31, 2025, at the intersection of East 20th Street and Piasa Street in Alton, prompting a traffic detour and the response of the Alton Police and Fire Departments. The incident took place on Aug. 31, 2025, with pictures of the scene captured...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City School District #9's Chris Mitchell shared photos from the Annual Granite City Labor Day Parade held Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in downtown Granite City. The event began at 10 a.m. at the intersection of State Street and Niedringhaus in Granite City and proceeded to Wilson...
BETHALTO - Freshman Emberlie Goins of Triad blazed the trail to capture the girls' race of the CM Twilight Cross Country Meet. In the girls race, Goins won with a time of 19:38.3, while Katie Fenton of the Highland Bulldogs was second at 20:03.8, Sophie Helfrich of Alton came in third at 20:25.7,...
BETHALTO - Max Weber of Civic Memorial was the boys' individual winner, as Marion and the Knights won the CM Twilight cross country meet, held Saturday evening at the Bethalto Sports Complex. The annual event is a traditional lid-lifter to the area cross country season, and was ran in very...
SWANSEA — Bill Crispin was found alive in a remote area near Swansea Baptist Church on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, following an extensive search involving local authorities, volunteers, and specialized rescue teams. The search effort, which took place in the Swansea area, was coordinated by...
ROXANA - Marquette girls volleyball split two matches Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at the Roxana Tournament, falling to Greenfield before defeating Valmeyer. Isabelle Bassett earned All-Tournament Team honors. The Marquette team lost to Greenfield in straight sets, 25-8 and 26-24. Reese Bechtold contributed...
BELLEVILLE — Belleville Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Officers were dispatched at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Saturday after a 19-year-old Belleville man arrived at Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound. The victim was later transferred...
EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 held its first Mobile Pantry event of the 2025-2026 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at Gordon Bush Elementary School, providing food and essential items to 100 families in the community. The mobile pantry event featured participation...
SAUGET — Margaret Rall has been named the Frontier League Athletic Trainer of the Year for 2025, recognizing her efforts in maintaining the health and physical condition of the Gateway Grizzlies throughout the season. Rall, now in her second year with the Grizzlies, has played a key role i...
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