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.
WORDEN - The small community of Worden, population 1,110 was filled with individuals and families not only from the city itself but from communities all over the region and beyond on Saturday. The attendance was estimated in the 5,000 range and it was every bit of that. The Worden bars were filled...
ALTON - Alton High School freshman Jillian Dwiggins has done something incredible - she has advanced to the IHSA State Girls Bowling Meet in her first year on varsity. Jillian put together games of 212, 160, 204, 202, 162, and 202 for a total of 1142 in the sectional this past weekend. She finished...
JOLIET - The Alton High girls' bowling team posted a strong performance in the IHSA Sectional at Joliet and advanced freshman sensation Jillian Dwiggins, who advanced as an individual with 1142 for a 190 average on the day. She was 10th overall and fourth for the non-qualifying individuals not...
ALTON - Sophomore Lydia Fite and her creative eye have been recognized as the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird of the Month. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lydia became very interested in sunsets and started taking pictures of them. As her interest in photography continued...
WORDEN - The Wordi Gras Celebration in Worden had something for everyone on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. There was not only the active parade, but plenty of candy for children, beads for adults and children, and plenty of food and drink once again. The Baywolfe Band and Cheers Band again drew capacity...
ALTON - The Alton Police and Fire Department responded to the scene of a serious motorcycle accident at 5:42 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, on Homer Adams Parkway at the intersection of Loran Lane. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the Alton Fire Department tended to the driver of the motorcycle...
EAST ALTON - A man who lived a life of public service and was the Former East Alton Fire Chief - Randy Nelson - died on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Nelson, 57, was a Roxana High School graduate and also served in the Air Force from 1984 to 1988. Nelson was a Roxana High graduate and a Fire Protection Specialist...
WOOD RIVER - In a play-in game for the Staunton Regional, East Alton-Wood River took the early lead in going on to eliminate Southwestern 41-27 at East Alton-Wood River High School and advance to the IHSA Class 2A semifinals. Jordan Ealey led the Oilers with 11 points, with Ocean Bland added nine...
ROXANA - In a Saturday IHSA Class 2A Girls Regional play-in game at Roxana, Roxana held off Marquette 39-33 to advance to the second semifinal. Kinsley Mouser led the Shells with 12 points, while Laynie Gehrs added 10 points, Kylee Slayden scored nine points, and Daisy Daugherty had eight points....
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