Author

Isaac Benjamin Babcock

Isaac creates editorial plans, working closely with the community to identify issues that affect people’s everyday lives. He is OCN’s resident photojournalist.

He is a longtime local journalist and former managing editor of the Seminole Voice. His work has been featured in Golfweek magazine, the New York Times and Jalopnik. He has won more than a dozen Florida Press Association and Society of Professional Journalists awards and contributed to award-winning, in-depth work for the NPR member station 90.7 WMFE.

Isaac holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, and may be best known for his many roles in the annual Oviedo Cemetery Tour. He enjoys hiking, running, sailing, motorcycling, modifying cars, inventing things, baking and going on adventures into forests and up snowy mountains with his family.

Isaac's Latest Articles

Why I wrote a ‘book’ about Jay Getty by accident

I set out to write a retirement story on Jay Getty, but what it turned into, over the course of months, was much more than that.

Jay Getty retires Oviedo Community News
After 35 years of teaching, coaching and directing, Hagerty’s Jay Getty crosses the finish line – Part 1

Coach Jay Getty retires, leaving behind decades of championships and stories at Oviedo and Hagerty High schools. 

Why I wrote a ‘book’ about Jay Getty by accident

I set out to write a retirement story on Jay Getty, but what it turned into, over the course of months, was much more than that.

Jay Getty retires Oviedo Community News
After 35 years of teaching, coaching and directing, Hagerty’s Jay Getty crosses the finish line

Coach Jay Getty retires, leaving behind decades of championships and stories at Oviedo and Hagerty High schools.

Hagerty softball championship Campbell Downing
Hagerty softball wins state championship

Hagerty softball avenges 6-5 championship loss from last season, winning in dramatic final two frames after Campbell Downing breaks open the game.

Tuskawilla Middle student wins first-ever design contest

“I voted” sticker to be given to thousands of voters this year as they exit the polls, featuring a Tuskawilla Middle School student's design. 

McCulloch road map
McCulloch Road expansion raises questions of area’s traffic future

“Very sensitive area for wildlife,” could hang in the balance as commissioners fear developing too close to Econ River could trigger the state or developers building a bridge to cross into the rural area. 

Oviedo St. Patrick's Day man
Oviedo celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a 5K and a street party

St. Patrick's Day weekend in Oviedo started off with a bang at the HOPE Helps Sham Rock N Run 5K Saturday morning, then a big celebration in the evening.

S.R. 417 Sanford Airport connector Alternative 2A
County, CFX pass funding agreement for 417 connector to Sanford airport

The S.R. 417 to Sanford Airport connector project's first big milestone is due to be crossed in 2028, but it's a long way from being driven on.

Oviedo 15-minute holiday party
Amid the holiday hustle, Oviedo celebrates with a 15-minute party

“I’ve never been kicked out of a holiday party quite the same,” Paul Sladek said of what might be the shortest holiday party in Oviedo.