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.
PONTOON BEACH - The Pontoon Beach Party at The Beach had remarkable attendance and was a great time for those who attended, officials said in the summary statement Monday. The 11th Annual Party was held Friday and Saturday in Pontoon Beach. The event featured carnival rides, games, food vendors,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School Principal Dr. Steve Stuart is busy preparing for the 2023-2024 school year with the first day of classes here soon. However, Dr. Stuart can be defined as a sports fan as he is seen constantly at EHS sports-related and other extracurricular activities. He is...
GRAFTON - Ron and Mary Jo Cote, owners of the Grafton Pub, continue to show their appreciation of the Grafton Police Department. On Thursday, August 3, 2023, Ron and Mary Jo Cote, owners of the Grafton Pub, donated $2,000 to the Grafton Police Department. Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow said this was the...
ALTON - The Alton Branch NAACP announced a leadership change as Leon Smallwood Bey is moving into the president's seat and vice president Rosetta Brown will now move into the first vice president position. The Alton NAACP branch is one of the oldest, strongest and active organizations around, Brown...
ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford provided a report about a crash at 12:33 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, involving a single vehicle on Alby Street near the intersection with Big Arch Road. Ford said the police department's preliminary investigation revealed that a distraction within the vehicle...
Gas prices have escalated around the region as AAA reports crude oil prices are on the rise and there have also been OPEC and Saudi Arabia extended production cuts. As of Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, some of the prices around the Riverbend on Gas Buddy are as follows: the Casey's on Broadway and Main in...
GODFREY - Chic N Pig announced Monday morning that it has decided to permanently close. Chic N Pig was located at 3200 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. "Thank you to the Village of Godfrey, our valuable team members and the community," the owners of Chic N Pig said in a statement on Facebook. Chic N Pig sai...
ALTON - Former Alton Chapter Of AFSCME 124 Labor Union President Byron Clemons, 36, entered a guilty plea to one count of interstate transportation of stolen money and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution after he embezzled $202,100 in union funds. Clemons will be on...
EAST ST. LOUIS – A 15-year-old East St. Louis male has been charged with First-Degree Murder (a Class M Felony) and Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (a Class X Felony). The Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) and St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office made the announcement...
CHICAGO – An Illinois Lottery retailer in the Chicagoland area strikes again. A $700,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket was sold at Kostner Korner, located at 4356 W. Howard St. in Skokie. The Lucky Day Lotto ticket matched all five numbers for the Wednesday, August 2 midday drawing to take...
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
