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.
EAST ALTON - Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn has reported the identity of the victim of a fatal truck explosion that occurred Thursday afternoon at the Olin/Winchester facility in East Alton as Oscar "Zeke" Bettorf, 60, of Bunker Hill. "The deceased family has been notified," Coroner Nonn said....
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney standout student-athlete Lilly Gilbertson recently completed an outstanding sophomore season for the Griffins' girls track and field team. Lilly is a Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb Father McGivney Catholic Female Athlete of the Month. Gilbertson placed fourth in the IHSA...
GODFREY - Firefighters battled an intense fire at Burns Wild Game Meat Processing and Smoke House in Godfrey on Thursday night on Winter Lane. Fire officials reported considerable damage at the scene. The fire call to Godfrey Fire Protection District came at 7:30 p.m. and when they arrived flames...
EAST ALTON - Multiple fire agencies responded to what was described as "a serious explosion" at the Winchester Ammunition Plant at 600 Powder Mill Road near the 4 p.m. range on Thursday. It has been reported by authorities that one person was killed when a truck exploded at Winchester Ammunitions...
COLLINSVILLE – On June 20, 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was requested by the Collinsville Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 1100 block of St. Clair Avenue, Collinsville. The preliminary investigation...
ALTON - John “Jack” Quigley passed away recently at age 83 but he left a huge legacy as a 25-year Alton firefighter, his work with Madison County Emergency Management, but most importantly, his role as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many in this region. East Alton...
(Note: This is the second in a three-part series about the upcoming Illinois State Police Team Illinois Youth Camp. Part three will publish on Thursday. Information is below on how to register for the camp with a deadline set for this weekend). COLLINSVILLE - Calvin Dye Jr. is a one-of-a-kind...
ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band continues its 133rd concert season this week with hometown jazz trumpeter Will Schmalbeck. Schmalbeck’s return to Alton will be the cornerstone of the concert. This concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, at Riverview Park. The concert will...
(Photos by Chris Mills and All About Alton). ALTON - Alton Police and Fire responded to a single-vehicle crash where the driver struck and knocked down an Ameren Illinois pole and live power lines Wednesday afternoon close to the Best Western on College Avenue in Alton. "Ameren Illinois had to...
DOW - The Lake Richard in Dow water skiers continue to have global impact. Jeff Roberts of the group announced today another chapter in the saga of the competitive water-ski jumping accolades earned over the years by the skiers from Lake Richard in Dow. Brothers Will and Edward Roberts recently returne...
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