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.
CHAMPAIGN - The Jersey Community High School boys and girls track teams traveled to the University of Illinois, where several athletes earned top finishes in their events. On the boys side, Bradley Tueth earned second place in the 200 meters. Cameron Judkins placed seventh in the 60 meters, and...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department announced that Patrolman First Class Shayne Edwards has been selected as the first recipient of the department’s Proactive Criminal Enforcement, or P.A.C.E., Award, recognizing what the department described as “exceptional proactive policing”...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville High School gymnasium was filled to standing room only Saturday, March 21, 2026, as more than 500 elementary, middle, and high school orchestra students performed in the annual D7 Orchestra Tiger Town Consortium. The event, held at EHS, brought together student musicians...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Jersey Community High School Jazz Ensemble traveled to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to perform at the Essentially Ellington regional festival, where students were adjudicated by guest clinicians and received merit award recognition. The ensemble performed...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police units and officers from several surrounding agencies responded late Saturday to reports of a large gathering in the street near 46th and State Street in East St. Louis, according to a state police spokesperson. Trooper Caleb Billingsley of the Illinois State...
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis Police Department K9 Zeke is expected to receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest within 10 weeks through a charitable donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the department and the nonprofit said. The vest was sponsored by the 2025 Fallen K9 Hero...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police are investigating a fatal shooting late Saturday night, March 21, 2026, after officers responding to a disturbance call found a person who had been shot in the 100 block of Bountiful Drive. Before Fairview Heights Police arrived at that scene, another...
SWANSEA - Det. Sgt. Jason Frank of the Swansea Police Department has been recognized by OUR Rescue for his work investigating exploitation and trafficking cases, the department said. The recognition was recently presented to Frank by Swansea Village Trustee Natalie Jablonski. The department said...
EDWARDSVILLE - Senior TCU-bound pitcher Toby Eberlin pitched well in his first starting assignment of the season, allowing only one hit and striking out four in three innings of work. But Oak Park-River Forest scored all four of its runs in the top of the fifth inning as the Huskies took a 4-1 win...
BELLEVILLE - Detectives investigating a death near a busy Belleville roadway have led to felony charges against a local man. Joe Davis, 60, of Belleville, was charged March 19, 2026, in connection with the March 18, 2026, death of Shawn Overmiller in the area of Illinois Route 161 and Sullivan...
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