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 ST. LOUIS - The U.S. District Court in East St. Louis announced on Thursday that Mary M. Thornhill, 36, of Knoxville, Tenn., was sentenced on Wednesday, August 17, to 34 months in prison for her involvement in a bank fraud scheme that targeted female victims in Southern Illinois. The group targeted...
HARTFORD - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn on Wednesday morning identified a Bethalto man who tragically lost his life following a two-vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Illinois State Route 3 at 7 th Street in Hartford. A 9-1-1 call on the accident came in at approximately...
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High School has opened the 2022-2023 school year with the highest enrollment that it has had in the past eight years. MELHS begins the year with 215 students, up from 175 last year. MELHS Principal Dr. Jay Krause said the school is fully staffed and completing...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville School District 7 welcomed back its faculty and staff with a warm kick-off event this week. Both Dr. Patrick Shelton and Edwardsville High School Principal Steve Stuart say there has been tremendous energy in the buildings since teachers have returned. Dr. Shelton said:...
EAST ALTON - The East Alton Fire Department and the Village of East Alton have recognized Lieutenant Andrew Mortland and Engineer Jeremey Diveley for their outstanding work in securing three grants in a year’s time. The three grants totaled $75,970.90. "Because of their due diligence...
ALTON - Illinois American Water has been hard at work this week in the Downtown Alton area with its massive sanitary sewer project. Shown here are photos of some of the work and progress. Illinois American Water corporate spokesperson Karen Cotton said this week that the work on 3rd Street and Belle...
ALTON - Alton School District Superintendent Dr. Kristie Baumgartner said today that the district is off "to a fantastic start." "It was so wonderful to welcome students this morning," she said in a statement. "You could certainly feel the excitement in the air." Alton School District started...
EDWARDSVILLE - Dr. Patrick Shelton, Edwardsville School District superintendent, said this is his 14th start in District 7 as a parent or superintendent and he thinks it is the best one yet. "Starting up a school year is never easy - there are always new employees, students, and families to...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School is off and rolling with the 2022-2023 school year. Students, faculty, administrators, and support staff appeared excited to be back as classes started on Wednesday. Edwardsville High School Principal Dr. Steve Stuart said they are glad for this year to star...
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