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.
ROXANA - Abbrey DeWerffs was a state qualifier this past wrestling season, capturing third place at sectionals. She made history as the Shells’ first female state qualifier in girls wrestling. Abbrey qualified in the 190-pound weight category, although she weighs 170 pounds. For her wrestling...
PIASA - Sophomore Gracie Darr played a big role for Southwestern's girls' basketball team this season and has a bright future ahead. She is the point guard and handles the ball a considerable amount for the Piasa Birds. Gracie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month...
JERSEYVILLE - Jersey State Bank continued its long-standing tradition of the Scholarship Essay Contest and recently announced the winners. The 2023 winner was Jack Dohrn of Jersey Community High School, son of Chris and Heather Dohrn, and he received $1,000. Morgan Klaas from Brussels High School,...
ALTON - Two Marquette Catholic High School sophomores were seriously injured in a crash around 11:30 Friday night on Fosterburg Road near the Drexelius Lane intersection and the Dollar General store. A 44-year-old man was also injured in the crash in another vehicle. The two students are ages 16 an...
ALTON - Competitors from across the country came to Alton's riverfront and the nearby Mississippi River to compete in the Annual Twisted Cat Outdoors event. Dan Alewelt of Pleasant Plains had the largest fish catch of 67.62 pounds, while Will Ash of Alton caught a 65.95-pounder for second place bigges...
BETHALTO - Seasoned flight instructors with a combined 105 years of flight experience - Don Hill and John Harding - announced today they are in the process of forming a Flying Club or Aero Club at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto. Hill has been a pilot for 60 years and Harding for 45 years....
ST. LOUIS - Two Alton High School students - Rebekah Blackmon and Elizabeth Blackmon - placed in the top 10 recently in the first in-person St. Louis Area Brain Bee since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Washington University in St. Louis welcomed 54 students from the St. Louis region on Feb. 25 for the event....
EDWARDSVILLE - Kim Bosco has made a significant contribution to the development of the R.P. Lumber Center and its various programs. The R.P. Lumber Center Operations Manager Kim Bosco was recently recognized with a highly regarded City of Edwardsville Employee Excellence Award for February at ...
EDWARDSVILLE - A crown jewel of the new R.P. Lumber Center in Edwardsville is the skating program. The program started when the rink opened in June 2022 and participation has skyrocketed because of talented and devoted staff and exceptional leadership. Phil Zamora, superintendent of the R.P. Lumbe...
GRANITE CITY - Stephanie M. Cann, Ed.S., Superintendent of Granite City Schools, and Major Nick Novacich, Assistant Chief, Granite City Police Department made a statement after a series of online threats concerning Granite City High School and upcoming charges. "Granite City Community Unit School...
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