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.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Volunteers with the Fairview Heights & Friends Trekking for Trash organization collected 27 bags of trash during a cleanup event held Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, near the Fairview Heights Metro Link Station. The group, which is affiliated with the Fairview Heights Beautification...
ST. LOUIS — The Historic Lemp Mansion Restaurant and Inn was struck by lightning at approximately 3:28 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, causing damage to the building and disrupting some services, officials said. The lightning struck the northernmost chimney, directly hitting a corner of the 1860s...
JERSEYVILLE — After some solid law enforcement work by Jersey County Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Jones and Deputy Justin Decker with a K9, a suspect was apprehended on Krause Drive in Jerseyville, Clarence F. Smith, after illegal drugs were discovered in his vehicle. On July 5, 2025, after a traffic...
MARYVILLE, Ill. — Andrew Hylton was sworn in as the newest officer of the Maryville Police Department during the village board meeting this week. Hylton is scheduled to attend the police academy later this month as part of his training. Village officials and community members welcomed...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville resident Tyler Morgan was seriously injured recently after falling 30 feet from a tree into water while working, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser organizer. Haylee Trober, who is coordinating a fundraiser to support Morgan and his girlfriend, Jocelynn, said Morga...
HOLIDAY SHORES - Ryan Turner of Holiday Shores is seeking financial support to cover urgent veterinary care for his dog, Esme, who has been suffering from a severe throat injury. Turner launched a fundraiser after accumulating nearly $6,000 in medical expenses while trying to diagnose and treat Esme’s...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Dr. Lawrence Rainey has been named interim principal of Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School for the new school year, East St. Louis School District 189 has announced. Dr. Rainey brings extensive experience to his new role, having served as an assistant principal...
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — The Cahokia Heights Police Department held its first National Night Out event this past week, aiming to strengthen community ties and promote neighborhood safety. The event took place recently in Cahokia Heights as part of a nationwide campaign designed to foster police-community...
ALTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the type of aircraft involved in the crash into a barge in the Mississippi River near the Melvin Price Lock and Dam as a Hughes 369D helicopter. Crystal Essiaw, a spokesperson for the FAA, said the time of the accident was 11:05 a.m. on...
COLLINSVILLE — Phillip Tamburello returned to his hometown as he officially joined the Collinsville Police Department, bringing with him over seven years of law enforcement experience. Tamburello, a 2016 graduate of Collinsville High School and former captain of the CPD Explorer post,...
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