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 - Alton junior guard Hassani Elliott is a player loaded with talent and will return for the 2024-2025 season for the Redbirds. For his boys' basketball efforts, Elliott is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Alton's head boys coach Dylan Dudley said Sani has more responsibilities...
JERSEY - Junior forward Casey Kallal was impressive throughout the 2023-2024 girls' basketball campaign for the Jersey Panthers. She finished the season strongly and Jersey girls basketball head coach Caleb Williams said he has high hopes for her in 2024-2025. Casey is a Sparklight Internet Female...
ALTON - The Salvation Army announced on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, that it surpassed the 2023 $217,000 red kettle goal by raising more than $368,804 to help people in Madison County. Campaign organizers said the total includes donations made through mail appeals, corporate gifts, unsolicited gifts,...
ROXANA - Roxana senior guard Aubrey Weigand was one of the team's top performers this season. Under head coach Addaya Moore, the girls posted an 18-15 overall mark and won a regional title. Coach Moore described Aubrey as her team's "most dedicated player." "She showed up for practice and always...
JERSEY - Sophomore Cali Breden provided a spark throughout the 2023-2024 season for the Jersey girls' basketball squad with her ballhandling, defensive efforts, and points and rebounds contributions. Cali averaged 5.3 points a game and 2.5 assists per game, 3.2 rebounds a contest and 1.1 steals a...
(This is the first in a series of stories on three Jersey teachers who received the 2024 Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year honor). JERSEY - Sara Pranger, a reading and math interventionist at Jersey Community Middle School, has always wanted to be a teacher. She has excelled for close to...
EAST ST. LOUIS – An Edwardsville doctor has admitted guilt to a federal healthcare fraud charge for falsely documenting services provided to nursing home patients for reimbursement from Medicare. Phillip J. Greene, 59, has entered a guilty plea to one count of healthcare fraud. “We entrust...
ST. PETERS, MO. - The St Peters Hockey Club has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser on behalf of a St. Peters, Mo., hockey player after he sustained a severe neck injury in a recent game. On Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, St. Peter’s Hockey U-16 Player Patrick Davie sustained a tough hit into the...
GRANITE CITY – An initially tense late-night police standoff in Granite City ended peacefully Monday evening, March 4, 2024, after negotiations with Granite City Police and a SWAT team. Granite City Police received a call of about a domestic disturbance that a man had been acting erratic and...
ALTON - A home-buying seminar led by presenter Kalia Harris, a local Realtor, and Andrew Calloway, a senior loan officer, the guest speaker. The Alton Branch of the NAACP is the sponsor of the event. The informative Home Buying Seminar is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2024,...
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