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.
WOOD RIVER - The second annual Chili Cook-Off presented by Wood River Economic Development LLC on Saturday in Downtown Wood River was rated a big success once again, organizers said. For the second straight year, the Pump House Bar & Grill was the grand champion. Runner-up was Rachel & Co. Coffee...
TROY - The Kahoks' boys soccer team got a second-half brace (two goals) from Chris Munoz, Adam Reiniger's 21st goal of the year and a goal from Sam Garafalo to defeat O'Fallon 4-0 in the Class 3A Normal Community sectional semifinal at Knights Stadium at Triad High School in Troy. The Kahoks are no...
ALTON - Edwardsville's girls volleyball team was able to control play at the net, which allowed the defense to read the attacks well, and overcame a deficit to rally back in a tight second set to take a 25-17, 25-23 win over Quincy in the semifinals of the IHSA Class 4A Alton regional Tuesday evenin...
BETHALTO - Jeremy Spears, missing since last Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, was discovered deceased on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, near I-255 and Culp Lane. The body was found at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, close to the highway near a wooded area. A group of searchers organized and started at approximately...
WOOD RIVER - A building in downtown Wood River at 2 W. Ferguson Ave. and Wood River Ave. was being demolished on Tuesday. Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup said the location is one of the first areas to be viewed as a driver enters the city and said the plan is to use it for green space and bench areas,...
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School tennis players Natalie Beck and Kennedi Taylor have made quite a name for themselves with their efforts in post-season play. Both girls are now recognized as Byron Carlson Petri and Kalb Female Athletes of Month for the Griffins. The girls combined...
GLEN CARBON - Jane Cummins is one of the backbone components of Father McGivney Catholic's exceptional girls' cross-country team this season. McGivney captured a regional championship this past Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at Trenton-Wesclin, and Cummins was once again a bright spot - running 20:32 for...
CLASS 1A AT DUPO The IHSA girls volleyball playoffs started up on Monday, and for Calhoun, it started off big as the Warriors defeated host Dupo 25-7, 25-8, while Marissa-Coulterville won over Okawville 26-24, 26-24. Calhoun was led by Delani Klaas with nine kills and Audrey Gilman added four kills...
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 SPORTS ROUNDUP GIRLS VOLLEYBALL IHSA PLAYOFFS REGIONALS CLASS 2A AT EAST ALTON-WOOD RIVER MARQUETTE CATHOLIC 19-25-25, PIASA SOUTHWESTERN 25-22-22: Marquette took a play-in match over Southwestern to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A regional at EAWR Memorial...
BUFFALO GROVE - Highland's doubles duo of Josie Wojcikiewicz and Sophia Fleming advanced to the consolation semifinals before being eliminated as players and teams from across the Riverbender.com area enjoyed success in this past weekend's IHSA girls tennis state tournament, held at Buffalo...
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