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.
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Police is attempting to execute two new felony warrants for Demarco Robinson, who is accused of check kiting across the Metro East area and defrauding UMB Bank of more than $65,000. The warrants, filed this week, charge Robinson with Financial Institution Fraud involving...
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE — Chicago Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett will host a youth football camp at Scott Air Force Base from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 19, 2025, and Sunday, July 20, 2025. Grady is a 6-foot-1, 294-pounder who has established a legacy in the NFL. The event will brin...
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an incident involving a man who intentionally threw fireworks at people and property over the recent holiday weekend. The police department was alerted earlier this week after a video showing the man’s actions was posted...
BRENTWOOD, Mo. — Panera Bread plans to close its fresh dough facility in Brentwood, Mo., by Sept. 12, 2025, resulting in the loss of 72 jobs, according to a notice filed with the State of Missouri. The facility, located at 2511 S. Hanley Ave. in Brentwood, will shut down permanently as part...
GODREY - Charles Joseph Schildroth, 83, known affectionately as “the Gator Guy,” left a legacy devoting his life to the Village of Godfrey baseball programs, the Parks and Rec department, and as a devoted family man. Charlie died on July 8, 2025, in St. Louis. The Village of Godfrey Park...
JERSEYVILLE — A two-car collision at the intersection of Illinois Route 109 and Hagan Road in Jersey County caused extensive damage to both vehicles on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns reported that the vehicles were driven by an elderly male and an elderly female...
EDWARDSVILLE - Renowned area artist Rocky Pardo is back with mixed metal fine art jewelry entries in the upcoming Edwardsville Art Fair set for Sept. 25-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Artist #1 Artist Name: Rocky Pardo Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "I create mixed meta...
BELLEVILLE - Belleville East High School students earned recognition at the recent Art on the Square event in Belleville, with six of the school's 56 participating artists winning awards out of 250 total entries. Belleville East's Aubrey Heins, a rising senior, distinguished herself by receiving si...
TROY, Ill. — Logan Williams, a beloved Troy, IL., teenager known for his kindness and quiet strength, died recently following a car accident, leaving his family and community grieving. Williams was described by friends as a gentle soul who consistently put others before himself. His sudden passin...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School is expanding its commons area with an 8,000-square-foot addition designed to enhance student dining and study spaces, Principal Alex Fox said. The project, currently underway through the summer, aims to improve facilities for lunch periods as well as for events...
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