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.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Emergency crews responded Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, to a reported explosion and fire that destroyed multiple homes in unincorporated north St. Louis County. According to Black Jack Fire Protection District, firefighters arrived around 9:15 a.m. to the 13800 block...
SWANSEA - The Swansea Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Bill Crispin, who was last seen on Aug. 23, 2025, at approximately 3 p.m. near the intersection of Frank Scott Parkway West and Illinois Route 159 in Swansea, Illinois. Officials say Crispin was on foot when h...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Juan C. Gonzalez-Anton, who faces a felony warrant for aggravated driving under the influence. The warrant stems from a traffic stop in May 2025, during which Gonzalez-Anton was found driving...
BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office is reviewing the hit-and-run crash in Belleville that occurred early Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2025, and information is expected to be released this upcoming week. Authorities located the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash in...
ALTON — Two vehicles collided at the intersection of Alton Square Drive and Homer Adams Parkway at 4:02 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, prompting immediate response from the Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department. Officials reported that one person received treatment at the scene...
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University redshirt sophomore wrestler Nick Nosler will represent the United States at the U20 World Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria . His opening match will be at 2 a.m. Central time Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, against the winner of Japan's Isshin Onitsuka...
WOOD RIVER — Charlie James secured the overall individual championship at the Madison County Golf Tournament on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, shooting a 72 at Belk Park in Wood River. The senior from Maryville Christian High School reflected on his performance and his aspirations for the upcoming...
WOOD RIVER - Highland High and Father McGivney High emerged as winners in the Madison County Large Schools and Small Schools team golf championships on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Highland had a team score of 299, while Edwardsville followed with a 304, Collinsville with a 308, and Father McGivney wit...
HIGHLAND — Gavin Schlarmann, a dedicated emergency medical technician and firefighter with the City of Highland, died in a motorcycle crash on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, the Highland Police and Fire Departments announced on Friday. Schlarmann was known for his commitment to public service,...
GRANTFORK - Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich has identified a 21-year-old Highland man who died following a motorcycle crash on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Gavin L. Schlarmann was operating a 2025 Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on Illinois Route 160 in Grantfork when his motorcycle left th...
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