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 — Officers Jon Henne and Shayne Korte of the Fairview Heights Police Department have been presented with a lifesaving award for their actions on Feb. 8, 2025, when they responded to a medical emergency involving a 27-year-old woman experiencing a seizure and respiratory...
BELLEVILLE — Tynika McKinzie was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by Belleville detectives for outstanding felony warrants related to a shooting incident at a McDonald’s restaurant on July 16, 2025, the Belleville Police Department said on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. McKinz...
EDWARDSVILLE - The work of these three featured artists - Rachel Newell, Venus Cramer, and Darren Miller - will have their work showcased at the Edwardsville Arts Fair set for Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Artist #1: Artist Name: Rachel Newell Medium: Mixed Media Artis...
ALTON - Alton Police were called to the 300 block of East Ninth Street in Alton on Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, after a report that a man had punctured his chest with an unknown object, according to an initial investigation. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said witnesses at the scene confirmed...
EDWARDSVILLE - These three artists - Cindy Hose, Dganit Moreno and Robert Asselmeier - will have their art showcased at the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair Sept. 26-28. Artist #1: Cindy Hose Medium: Painting Artist Statement: "I begin by meticulously preparing my canvas, ensuring...
ALTON — The Alton Police Department announced a new plan on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to address late-night disturbances in downtown Alton, after Alton Mayor David Goins’ announcement on Monday, July 21, 2025, about the revocation of the late-night liquor licenses for Hiram’s Bar...
WATERLOO — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old female at a residence on State Route 3 in Waterloo, Illinois, on July 21, 2025. At approximately 1:34 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025, emergency responders were dispatched to 5925 State...
JERSEY - Allen Snyder of Jersey Community Unit School District 100 has been named one of the 2025 Teachers of Distinction by the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools. The announcement was made recently by the association, which recognized Snyder for his innovative approach to teaching....
WATERLOO — Ten-year-old E’lynn Kuhnert was admitted to St. Louis Children’s Hospital on June 29, 2025, after experiencing prolonged seizures that would not stop. Despite several days of heavy sedation and intubation on July 3, 2025, her seizures have persisted. After consulting...
ALTON — Alton Parks & Recreation has opened registration for its Fall 2025 Youth Soccer League, which will run from September through October at Gordon Moore Park’s Northside fields. The program is open to children born between Sept. 1, 2010, and Aug. 31, 2020, and registration will remai...
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