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.
ALTON - The Alton Police Department responded on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, 2026, after receiving an emergency call from a student on a school bus traveling within the city, police said. Police officers located the bus near State Street and Fourth Street in Alton and spoke with the student who placed...
BUNKER HILL — Bunker Hill Fire Department Co. 1 responded at 3 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, to a reported serious residential structure fire within the city limits of Bunker Hill, where first arriving units encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence. No injuries...
BUNKER HILL - Austin McClusky of Bunker Hill, Illinois, his fiancée, and their three children lost their home and belongings in a house fire on March 6, 2026 , prompting a fundraising campaign organized by Kristin Dailey to help the family find temporary housing and replace essential items....
ALTON - Multiple area girls have been named to the 2025-2026 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Girls All-State Team. Alton High School senior Kaylea Lacey was a second-team IHSA Class 4A selection, while Redbirds teammate Madeline Ducey was a special mention team pick. Hailey Gray, a sophomore...
JERSEYVILLE — Students from Jersey Community High School brought home top marks and three “Best of the Day” awards after competing in the Illinois High School Association Solo and Ensemble contest this past weekend, according to Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100. The...
ALTON - Alton Fire Department Chief Jesse L. Jemison Jr. marked 33 years with the department on March 3, 2026, a milestone the department recognized in a statement shared by the Alton Fire Department, the City of Alton, Illinois, and Alton Firefighters Local 1255. Jemison began his career on March...
O'FALLON, IL. - The family of Debra K. Farmer, a longtime volunteer with the LaVerna Evans PTO, has donated to the LaVerna Evans Elementary School library in O’Fallon, Illinois, the school’s PTO said. The donation was made in her honor following her death on Dec. 5, 2025. The LaVerna...
ALTON — Rayna Raglin reclaimed the top spot statewide in the 60 meters and won three events as the Alton High Lady Redbirds competed in their second indoor meet at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Redbirds coach Chelsea Anderson said. Raglin won the 60 meters in 7.43 seconds, the...
SWANSEA - Swansea Police arrested an adult male within minutes on Friday, March 6, 2026, after officers responded to a reported bank robbery at Arsenal Credit Union, authorities said. Officers were called on March 6, 2026, to the credit union at 4384 North Illinois St. in Swansea. Arsenal Credit...
St. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis County police have identified a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash last week near the intersection of Kilmory Drive and Shackelford Drive. Police said Nicholas Chaney, 44, whose last known address was in the 2600 block of Derby Place in Florissant,...
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