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.
JERSEY — A fugitive was apprehended by local law enforcement on Feb. 23, 2025, after being spotted near a residence in Delhi. Shawn A. Wood, 35, was wanted by both the Alton Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office when Jersey County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Ayres and...
Dear Editor: The people of Godfrey are fortunate to have a dedicated public servant in Village Clerk Susan Robbins. Clerk Robbins has served well since she started in the Clerk's Office in 2019. Clerk Robbins' previous experience in Godfrey Township and Clerk Robbins' prior experience in management...
RAYMOND - In a closely contested matchup on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, the Metro East Lutheran boys basketball squad edged out Calhoun with a final score of 50-49 in the IHSA Class 1A Regional Championship at Raymond-Lincolnwood High School. Calhoun led at the end of the first quarter 10-9, and 25-21...
O'FALLON - It was indeed a tough 4-0 loss for a very good O’Fallon team on Thursday night, Feb. 27, 2025, in the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association Class 2A final to Edwardsville, but in the end, the Panthers proved to be one of the best teams all year long in the MVCHA. “I...
EDWARDSVILLE – Zach Cohn scored two goals, once on the power play, while Brody Patton stopped 36 shots, and Edwardsville scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded, to win Game Two of their best-of-three Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association Class 2A final 4-0 over O’Fallon,...
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - A two-vehicle crash on U.S. 67 south of Red School Road in St. Charles County resulted in a fatality at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The incident involved a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2005 Mack tractor, both traveling northbound at the time of the collision....
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad was activated on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to assist the Cahokia Heights Police Department in the investigation of the shooting death of 15-year-old Charles E. Jones. Over a five-day period, 14 investigators pursued more than 80 leads related to the case. The...
EAST ST. LOUIS – Linda J. Johnson, a 58-year-old woman from Waterloo, was sentenced to 15 months on charges of embezzling over $135,000 from Dupo Community Unit School District #196. The sentencing, which took place in federal court, includes three months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons followed...
EAST ST. LOUIS – A 31-year-old man has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to 20 years in prison for an armed robbery that occurred at a convenience store in East St. Louis. Vernelle E. Hines, who was arrested in Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to charges of interference with commerce by robbery...
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Township High School District 201 has announced the selection of Dr. Marshaun Warren as its next superintendent, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Warren, who has over 20 years of experience in education and administration, is currently serving as the district's Assistant...
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