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 - Melanie Fessler is a digital coach for the Jersey School District. Fessler was recently named a recipient of the 2024 Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year honor. Fessler has been a teacher for 31 years, but said every day is different for her in her particular role. Fessler has worked...
JERSEY - Air Force Sgt. Bryan Pyszk recently met with Coach Scott Burney and the Jersey Community High School girls' soccer team and ran through an Air Force workout with the group. Burney is a big believer in having his team members be as physically fit as possible and this workout helpe...
GRAFTON - Grafton's first-grade teacher Jamie Lumma has witnessed many changes in education in her 30 years as a teacher, but she still loves seeing children's faces light up when they learn something new. "I think sometimes I get more excited than they do when I see them learning different things,"...
NORMAL - Edwardsville High School Fine Arts Chair/Orchestra Director Victoria Voumard and her orchestra students earned high praise in the recent Illinois State University High School Orchestra Festival. Dr. Glen Beck, a presenter, told Voumard to convey his appreciation...
WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police Department and other law enforcement personnel were dispatched Sunday afternoon for a person having a mental health crisis at the Bel-Air Motel in Wood River after a male subject would not come out. Police used a loudspeaker to talk to the man to come out with his...
EAST ALTON - The East Alton Fire Department was called to a working still alarm for a residential fire in the 300 block of South Pence Street at 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The East Alton Fire Department Engine 4311 was dispatched and upon arrival, encountered heavy black smoke conditions...
ROXANA - Daisy Daugherty is a sophomore who has a very bright future ahead on the basketball court at Roxana High School. One of her better games of the year was against Salem in early February 2024 when she scored 17 points and shot 75 percent from the field. She tallied 14 points in a game against...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School had a large contingency of band, choir and orchestra members attend the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State event in Peoria. Edwardsville High School Principal Steve Stuart congratulated the outstanding musicians on their all-state status....
ALTON - Spencer Domer, a 2019 Alton High and 2023 Millikin University graduate on Friday, March 8, 2024, surprised Alton poet John Dunphy with his recent newly composed choral cycle: "Seven Songs of John Dunphy." "I composed this with some of Alton poet John Dunphy's favorite texts," he said....
ALTON - The Third Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt in Alton is planned for Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Alton's Rock Spring Park. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. Alderwoman Rosie Brown is one of the coordinators of this event with a special committee. She said last year's event was fabulous with...
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