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 - East Alton-Wood River sophomore Hailey Handler continues to get recognition as an athlete as both a tennis and basketball star. Kaylynn Buttry, her doubles teammate, is also a basketball standout in the winter and a softball player in the spring. The pair have been solid in doubles...
ROXANA - Raelee Kimbro has developed into a strong runner this season for the Roxana girls cross country squad. Kimbrow, a senior, recently posted a time of 20:51.7 for third place in the Madison County Small Schools Invitational in Granite City. She broke 20 minutes in the Granite City Invite with...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office recently said goodbye to a 32-year veteran - Lt. Pete Moore. Moore recently retired from the sheriff's office after a long and distinguished career. Lt. Moore began his career with the Madison County Jail in January of 1992. Since 2013, Lt. Moore...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office has issued a congratulations to Deputy Kyle Doolen on his upcoming retirement. Deputy Doolen, DSN 331, started his career in August of 2003 at the Madison County Sheriff's Office. He was a canine handler for 12 years with his first K9 in 2008, K9...
DOW - Jersey County Sheriff's Office is seeking help from the public in locating a Dow woman - Kaila M. Vatole - a missing person. The Jersey Sheriff's Office said it is believed that Kaila walked away from a residence located on Little Piasa Road in rural Dow, Illinois on January 8, 2023. Numerous...
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, will be honored with the Stellar Performer Award during the 36th St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala, Saturday, Nov. 4 at the America’s Center in downtow...
ALTON - Phil Hamilton has had a lot of success as a volleyball coach over the years at the elementary and middle school levels and high school club teams. On September 26, 2023, Phil Hamilton was appointed head volleyball coach for the Alton High School Redbirds girls' volleyball team. After one practice,...
MARYVILLE - Father McGivney Catholic cross country and track runner Elena Rybak has captivated observers in her three years in a Griffins' uniform. She has won two 1,600-meter state outdoor track and field titles as a freshman and sophomore. Her most recent triumph was in the Madison County Small...
JERSEY - Adam Kribs is a multi-sport athlete for Jersey Community High School. In the spring, he is a track and field star and in the fall he dons the Panthers’ boys soccer team jersey under Coach Scott Burney. Harold Landon, Adam's boys track coach, said Kribs had a breakout season last year,...
ALTON - The highlight of Alton's girls' tennis efforts in the Southwestern Conference championships on Friday and Saturday at Belleville East was a double performance by Lauren Massey and Scarlett Eades. "You always want to be playing your best at the end of the year, and I think we are," head girls...
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