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.
BELLEVILLE - Investigator Lee Rinehart has retired from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department in Belleville, after a combined 32 years in law enforcement. His career began in January 1993 with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department and included 12 years with the Village...
MADISON COUNTY — Deputy Michael Reynolds has retired after nearly 27 years of service with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division. The announcement was made by the sheriff’s office, which praised Reynolds for his exemplary career serving the citizens of Madison County...
MARYVILLE — The Maryville Police Department issued 35 citations during the Memorial Day "Click It Or Ticket" campaign, officials said. The enforcement effort, which took place over the holiday period, focused on promoting seat belt use and overall road safety. Among the citations, 12 were...
O'FALLON, MO. - The Alton River Dragons fell to the O’Fallon Hoots 12-10 in a high-scoring game Tuesday night, June 3, 2025, in O’Fallon, Missouri. The loss dropped Alton’s record to 2-5 early in the season. Alton started strong, taking a 6-1 lead after an inning and a half. However,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Esteban Gomez Garcia, a rising junior at Edwardsville High School, is seeking financial support to join the 2025 Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps this summer. The tuition fee for the program is $2,500, which covers housing, meals, travel, and equipment for the season. Gomez recently...
EAST ALTON - Bryan Vaughn has organized a fundraiser to support Brady Garrison of East Alton, who is recovering from a serious motorcycle accident that occurred recently. Garrison, 23, lost control of his motorcycle while on his way to pick up his brother. His wife, mother, and a close friend were...
JERSEYVILLE - Quincy DeSherlia, a freshman at Jersey Community High School, continued to improve this spring track and field season for Jersey Community High School. Quincy is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for Jersey. At the Granite City Invite, DeSherlia posted a time of 2:20.75 in the...
PIASA - Outfielder Sydney Valdes was a standout for the Southwestern Piasa Birds softball squad in Spring 2025. Sydney is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Southwestern High School’s Sydney Valdes has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Lincoln...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A 23-year-old St. Jacob woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 255 southbound near Forest Boulevard in St. Clair County on Tuesday morning, June 3, 2025. The St. Clair County coroner confirmed the victim as Jacquelyn B. Rucker, 23, of St. Jacob. The Illinois Stat...
CHARLESTON — Belleville West junior Jayln Cole achieved a major milestone Saturday, May 31, 2025, by winning the Illinois 110-meter high hurdles state championship with a time of 13.82 seconds at the state meet in Charleston. Cole, who set a goal early in the season to break 14 seconds and clai...
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