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.
HIGHLAND — Ralph Korte, founder of The Korte Company and a pivotal figure in the construction industry, died on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in 1934 in rural Highland, Illinois, Korte built a legacy that influenced both his community and the nation’s approach to...
ALHAMBRA, Ill. — The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wild mustangs and burros, is seeking urgent assistance after a fire damaged their home and essential supplies on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. The fire occurred on Monday, destroying...
SWANSEA/O'FALLON — Authorities continue to search for Bill Crispin, who went missing after walking eastbound on Frank Scott Parkway East on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. The last confirmed sighting of Crispin was near Old Collinsville Road, but his whereabouts remain unknown. The Swansea Police...
VALMEYER, Ill. — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department has completed its investigation into a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, near the intersection of Fountain Road and Levee Road, resulting in the death of a Valmeyer man. At approximately 6:18...
COLUMBIA, IL. — A barricaded subject was taken into custody without injury Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2025, following an hours-long standoff at a residence on Meadow Court, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department reported. The incident began around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug....
EDWARDSVILLE - If the Tuesday evening, Aug. 26, 2025, premiere game of the Edwardsville girls' flag football team is any indication, the new IHSA sport will no doubt become a major hit. The Tigers were dominant in all phases of the game, taking a 40-0 win over Mascoutah Tuesday evening in the program's...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School kicked off its girls flag football season with a 40-0 victory over Mascoutah on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd to the stands for the program’s inaugural game. The event featured spirited support from Edwardsville...
EDWARDSVILLE - Junior Sophie Shapiro, along with the rest of her teammates, helped to showcase the girls' flag football team in its historic opener on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Edwardsville recorded a 40-0 win over Mascoutah at Tiger Stadium. Sophie made the most of her first game, scoring twice...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - St. Clair County authorities have identified Harold Schaedler, 49, as the man struck and killed by a vehicle over the weekend, on Illinois Route 157, just south of Foley Drive in Cahokia Heights. Schaedler, of Belleville, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:05 a.m. Sunday, Aug....
ROXANA — Father McGivney Catholic and Piasa Southwestern each posted mixed results Tuesday during the group stage of the Roxana Invitational volleyball tournament. In Group B action at Roxana High School, Father McGivney Catholic defeated O'Fallon First Baptist Academy in straight sets, 25-10,...
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