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.
ALTON — The public boat launch ramps at Alton Marina have been closed effective July 15, 2025, due to low water levels on Pool 26 of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, marina officials announced on Tuesday. The current river level at Alton Marina is 413 feet above sea level, resulting in approximately...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has received a donation from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Club Ice Hockey Team to support its K-9 Unit. The donation, presented at an event recognizing the partnership, was funded through proceeds from the team’s Annual Teddy...
EDWARDSVILLE - Crews have installed a new bridge deck on Center Grove Road as part of an ongoing replacement project east of Esic Drive in Edwardsville, officials said. The construction, which involves replacing a 35-year-old bridge over the Nickel Plate Trail, is progressing well and remains on schedul...
EDWARDSVILLE - Fifth Avenue in Edwardsville will be closed starting Thursday, July 17, 2025, for up to two weeks to accommodate utility work by Ameren Illinois, city officials announced Tuesday, July 15, 2025. City officials said the closure will affect a section of Fifth Avenue adjacent to an alle...
MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Maryville Police Department reported one impaired driving arrest and 16 seatbelt citations during the Fourth of July enforcement campaign that ran from June 20 through July 7, 2025. The department participated in the statewide effort alongside 200 other local and state...
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis officials say the city is no longer among the most dangerous cities in the country, reflecting a decline in crime amid ongoing challenges faced by other U.S. cities grappling with violent offenses. The East St. Louis Police Department issued a statement expressing...
ALTON - The Alton River Dragons are excited to announce that 2022 alum Eddie King Jr. was selected in the 16th Round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. A rising senior at Louisville, becomes the second Alton player to be drafted. 2023 alum Evan Gray was selected by San Francisco...
BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office has declined to file charges in a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, July 13, 2025, on North 40th Street. The St. Clair County Coroner's Office has identified the man who died of a gunshot as 50-year-old Monzelle...
MADISON COUNTY — Joseph A. Torres II was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and reckless discharge of a firearm following a fatal shooting early Sunday morning at 3rd Chute II, a bar located at 2204 Fosterburg Road in unincorporated Alton. At approximately 1:05 a.m. on Sunday,...
SOUTH ROXANA — The American Legion Post 1167 in South Roxana received a complete replacement of its heating and air conditioning system at no cost, thanks to efforts by local officials and a veteran-owned business. The issue began when the post’s central air conditioning unit stopped...
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