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.
GLEN CARBON - Drew Kleinheider was part of the "heart and soul" of the Father McGivney Catholic boys baseball team this past season. He has played the past three years as the starting shortstop and was one of the captains for his high school baseball team. McGivney was 38-4 overall during last year's...
ALHAMBRA - Alex Odom and two others are organizing a fundraiser to support the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary after a recent fire damaged the sanctuary’s home. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates wild mustang horses and burros, suffered fire damage to one room and smok...
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL Oradell, N.J. Bergen Catholic 22, East St. Louis 21 BOYS SOCCER Waterloo 5, Breese Mater Dei Catholic 0 Father McGivney Catholic 9, Trenton Wesclin 0 Maryville Christian 7, Breese Central 0 Jersey 10, Roxana 2 Carlyle 6, East...
MINNEAPOLIS — Community members gathered Tuesday at a memorial outside Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis to honor the victims of a shooting that occurred the previous day during a Catholic school Mass, authorities said. The attack left two children dead and 18 others injured. The...
COLUMBIA, IL. — Jared M. Franke, 26, of Columbia, was charged Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, following a standoff with law enforcement after allegedly stealing a firearm from his family’s home early Wednesday morning. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2025, deputies from the Monroe Count...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified the man fatally shot in Jennings last weekend as 21-year-old Eric Baker of St. Louis. Officers responded shortly before midnight on Sunday, Aug. 24, to a ShotSpotter alert in the 2100 block of Fairhaven Drive in the City of Jennings, where...
BETHALTO — Illinois Senator Harris and Representative Amy Elik issued a joint statement Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, addressing ongoing concerns about brown and discolored water in the Bethalto area, signaling increased involvement from state officials and the Illinois Environmental Protection...
HIGHLAND - Lola Schlarmann is organizing a fundraiser to support her family following the death of her brother, Gavin Schlarmann, who died recently in a motorcycle accident. The family is seeking assistance to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and ongoing support for Gavin’s two siblings...
MASCOUTAH, Ill. — Residents of Mascoutah and the surrounding areas are being called upon to support the inaugural season of the Girls' Varsity Flag Football team at Mascoutah High School, which is currently holding a fundraiser through Sept. 22, 2025. The Mascoutah flag football girls demonstrated...
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ROXANA INVITATIONAL --- GROUP STAGE GROUP A This is a roundup from the Roxana Invitational play on Tuesday night, Aug. 26, 2025. In the results from Group A at the Roxana Invitational, Dupo and Carrollton split their match, the Tigers winning the first set 27-25,...
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