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.
JERSEY - The Jersey Community High School girls track team competed at Illinois State University on Feb. 21, 2026, where several Panthers posted top-10 finishes. Morgan Allen won the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches to take first place among 24 athletes. Brenley Kelly finished in the top 10...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified a 71-year-old Overland man as the person who died after an officer-involved shooting during a standoff that began with a reported assault early Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in the 9400 block of Cote Brilliante Avenue in Overland, Mo. The deceased...
ST. LOUIS - Triad High School students using 3D printing to tackle real-world manufacturing challenges won the Project MFG St. Louis championship Friday, Feb. 20, at Saint Louis University, earning a spot in the national competition in Texas. Jack Burrelsman, Chase Gregory, Owen Litteken, and Caden...
TROY - A Silver Creek Elementary teacher in the Triad Community Unit School District No. 2, Lisa Patterson, has been selected to receive a 2026 Those Who Excel award from the Illinois State Board of Education. The school's principal, Michael Speer, said he and Patterson “were thrilled to receiv...
EDWARDSVILLE - The League Of Women Voters is hosting a Meet & Greet Candidate event for the March 17, 2026, primary at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The meet and greet will allow candidates to present themselves to the voters. Candidates can share their views about key policy issues and...
HARDIN - Calhoun edged Roxana 63-61 on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Hardin, using a late push to hold off a fourth-quarter rally and improve to 25-4 overall on the season. Roxana is now 22-9 overall on the year. Calhoun led 22-16 after the first quarter and 36-29 at halftime before Roxana surged...
BREESE — Steve Medford reached a huge coaching milestone Friday night, Feb. 20, 2026, in Breese, earning his 300th career victory as Marquette Catholic defeated Breese Central 44-28 on the road. Marquette is now 22-6 overall on the season. Marquette Catholic built its win with quarter-by-quarter...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s girls basketball season ended one win short of a regional title, but first-year coach Kaylie Gudka said she is taking encouragement from the way her team competed in a 49-33 loss to Alton in the Edwardsville Girls Regional championship on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026....
EDWARDSVILLE – Ja’Kayla Steen led Alton with 11 points, while Kaylea Lacey went eight-for-10 from the free throw line for 10 points as the Redbirds held off a comeback attempt by Edwardsville early in the second half, and went on to a 49-33 win in the final of the IHSA Class 4A regional...
PIASA - Wyatt Lahr has worked hard throughout high school. For his dedication, Wyatt Lahr is a Student of the Month for Southwestern High School. Lahr, a senior, has played on the varsity soccer team for three years. He loves working as a team, and he pushes himself in every practice and game...
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