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.
GRAFTON - A business that has been a contributor to the Grafton Memorial - Seed to Sewn - recently made a presentation to the Grafton City Council, with plans for more support. At the Grafton City Council meeting on December 19, 2023, Joellen Sudmeier and Chris Grigsby, owners of Seed to Sewn, ...
ALTON - The Hiram's Bar Toy Giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, was everything owner Hiram Lewis and the children who received toys could want, he said afterward. "We had a nice turnout for our toy giveaway," Hiram said. "Doing charitable events always feels great. We wish everyone a happy holiday...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic leading scorer Braden Kline had another big game, scoring 30 points, as the Explorers jumped to a bit first-quarter lead, with Roxana coming back to within three points at the end of the third quarter. Marquette outscored the Shells in the final quarter by a huge margin...
EDWARDSVILLE - Chief Deputy Coroner Kelly Rogers added another key recognition to his wide background this week when he was elected Chairman of the St. Louis Area Regional Response System (STARRS). Rogers will serve alongside Co-Chairman Kathleen Diebold Hargrave, Director of Operations for the Office...
FREEBURG - The East Alton-Wood River girls' basketball team has met Freeburg twice in two weeks, but this time on Wednesday night, Dec. 20, 2023, the Oilers came out with a strong effort against a tough Freeburg squad on the road, but the Midgets prevailed 56-40 in a game closer than the final...
WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River's standout player Tah'juan "Tookie" Smith has been a prolific scorer for the Oilers all season, but he had one of his best individual games of the year on Tuesday at home in a 62-34 loss to Salem. Smith led the Oilers with 17 points in the contest. Salem came...
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial's boys basketball team continues to show improvement and stayed with Highland in the first half of Tuesday's rival game at Civic Memorial High School. Highland led at the half 26-23, but accelerated the lead in the second half, winning the matchup 50-39. Adam Ogden paced...
ALTON - Every year, The Annual Alton Branch NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration event always has a remarkable guest speaker with a strong message. In January, with the theme, "Moving On Towards Freedom, Justice and Equality," Theme, Wesley Bell, Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County, Mo,...
MARYVILLE - Ian Brantley had a big game, scoring 23 points, while Cason Robinson added 11 points as Piasa Southwestern took the lead early on and didn't look back in taking a 58-43 win over Maryville Christian in a game played Tuesday night at the Lions' gym. The Piasa Birds went out to the lead...
ALTON - Outstanding work by an alert Alton Police Sergeant Brian Brenner located a stolen vehicle on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Ford said at 12:28 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2023, Brenner conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle on the Clark Bridge,...
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