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.
CARROLLTON - The Carrollton Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education has announced the hiring of Jason Bauer as its next superintendent for the 2024-2025 school year. Bauer currently serves as Pana Community Unit School District #8 superintendent. He has been in his role with the Pana...
PIASA - Sam Jones, a lineman for Southwestern High School, has signed his letter of intent to play football at Missouri Baptist University. Sam is the son of Jake and Mindy Koeneman. Sam Jones is also an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Athlete of the Month. Southwestern head football coach...
EDWARDSVILLE - The League of Women Voters of the Edwardsville Area, in partnership with the Edwardsville Chapter of the NAACP, has a Voter Service Event set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville. "We will start at 7 p.m. and should be finished around 8 p.m.," th...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic’s Dorion Sykes, a wide receiver and strong safety, has signed to play football at Missouri Valley College. Sykes is a Tucker’s Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. He plans to major in secondary education. Sykes said Missouri...
ALTON - Makaila Irby recently had one of the biggest moments of her life when she signed with Central Methodist University to play volleyball and pursue a chemistry and biology major. Irby described the Central Methodist campus as “beautiful” and said the team and coaches seemed very intuitive...
ALTON - Filmmaker/inspirational speaker Michael Gebben of Alton has done some extraordinary things in his life since starting his career and operating his own business from an early age. He is also a family man and very devoted to them. Recently, Michael helped his grandpa, Adrian Gebben, achieve somethin...
GIRLS BASKETBALL IHSA PLAYOFFS – SUPER-SECTIONAL/STATE QUARTERFINAL GAME CLASS 1A In the Class 1A super-sectional Elite Eight games on Monday night, defending state champion Okawville punched its ticket to a return trip to Bloomington-Normal with a 55-28 win over Goreville in their...
GODFREY - A front porch and other parts of a home encountered damage on Monday, but Godfrey Fire Protection District firefighters and Brighton and Fosterburg departments quickly extinguished a serious fire and saved a home in the afternoon in the 7000 block of Godfrey Road. Godfrey Fire Chief Eric...
ELSAH - The Jersey Community High School boys track and field team and Jerseyville Middle wrestling squad had big weekends. The Jersey boys track team participated in the Triad Knight Invitational on Friday. Casey Borkowski was a shining star and won the 200-meter dash and was third in the 60-meter...
MT. ZION - The Father McGivney Catholic High School boys and girls track and field teams both have high hopes for the 2024 indoor and outdoor seasons under head Coach Jim Helton. The McGivney girls and boys started where they left off last year at the Mt. Zion Indoor Invite, which consisted of 1A,...
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