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.
BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department recognized three employees as recipients of its 2025 awards during a City Council meeting held this week, honoring an officer, a detective and a civilian staff member for their service to the Belleville community. The department said Officer...
EDWARDSVILLE/COLLINSVILLE - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a St. Louis man on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, after a pursuit that followed an investigation into a report of shots fired at a home in unincorporated Collinsville this past Saturday, Feb. 14, authorities said....
ROXANA - Gillespie used a balanced effort and late execution to beat Southwestern 51-45 on Monday night, Feb. 16, 2026, in the Roxana Girls Regional semifinals. Gillespie will face Marquette on Thursday. Gillespie Coach Nikki Branwer said the matchup will be physical. “Thursday’s game...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that killed a 67-year-old man Tuesday night, Feb. 17, 2026, on Lemay Ferry Road in south St. Louis County. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s South County Precinct responded at 7:19 p.m....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police are investigating a crash near Kingston Drive and Geneva Drive in south St. Louis County that killed an adult man and sent two others to the hospital Thursday morning, Feb. 19, 2026. Officers from the St. Louis County Police South County Precinct responded...
BOYS BASKETBALL CIVIC MEMORIAL 45, PIASA SOUTHWESTERN 38: CM led at the half 23-17, and went on to win at Southwestern's gym. Charlie Kilpatrick had 12 points to lead CM, and Riley Lamb had 11 points in the win. Carter Bacon led the Piasa Birds with 17 points, while Cason Robinson had eight...
O'FALLON - The O’Fallon Police Department takes great pride in its work with the Special Olympics program. Several O’Fallon officers and athletes, along with Alderman Jimmy Ford, traveled to Bloomington to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinoi...
O'FALLON, IL. - St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. confirmed on Thursday morning, Feb. 19, 2026, that Cesilie N. Huebner, 35, of Ellington Drive in Troy, IL., was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in the emergency room at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon,...
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD BOYS BASKETBALL Civic Memorial 45, Piasa Southwestern 38 Mt. Vernon 48, Belleville Althoff Catholic 42 Mt. Sterling Brown County 59, Carrollton 55 MVCHA HOCKEY --- PLAYOFFS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES --- MONDAY'S RESULTS C...
ALTON — Marquette Catholic High School students, faculty and staff gathered Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season as participants came forward to receive ashes. The observance brought...
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