Isaac Benjamin Babcock, Author at Oviedo Community News

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.

Isaac 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. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, and may be best known for his roles in the annual Oviedo Cemetery Tour.

Winter Springs passes budget, keeps tax rate frozen

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● September 27, 2023

Winter Springs passed its 2023-2024 budget unanimously Monday, as well as keeping its tax rate flat. The city’s $72.7 million budget is $14 million more compared to the year before, an increase driven by rising property values. The budget sailed through Monday’s City Commission meeting unchanged from that which was proposed at a budget meeting on July 10.

A rendering shows a potential amenities layout for the possible development of the former Winter Springs Golf Course, leaving the course's fairways undisturbed.

Shuttered Winter Springs Golf Course could be developed

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● September 20, 2023

A 133-acre conservation easement set aside 39 years ago for possible parkland may be sold off to make way for a 492-unit housing development in Winter Springs.Mayor Kevin McCann is saying that if it’s not done now, it could be turned into something the city doesn’t want.

An image of the proposed layout for the Winter Springs Patio development at the intersection of S.R. 434 and Belle Avenue.

Food truck business proposal causes city to rethink ordinance

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● September 13, 2023

A proposal for a food truck stop in Winter Springs had Commissioners Monday discussing whether they should rethink an ordinance that took “a great deal of time” to create.

Controversial speed limit change to stay for now in Winter Springs

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● September 6, 2023

A speed limit change that immediately had residents complaining will stay, for now, as Winter Springs commissioners debated the merits of dropping the speed limits on one of the city’s most well-traveled roads after it had already happened.

A fake boil water notice features a photo of Winter Springs Commission candidate Brandon Morrisey.

Winter Springs clarifies fake boil water notice

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● August 30, 2023

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is investigating an incident involving a Winter Springs political candidate after a social media post had residents fearing unnecessarily for the safety of their drinking water.

Winter Springs considers reversing speed limit reduction

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● August 23, 2023

Citing “buyer’s remorse” Winter Springs is quickly considering an about face on recently dropping the speed limit on one of the city’s main roads from 30 mph down to 25 mph.

A chart shows how rates have lagged behind fees.

As garbage rate hikes loom, Winter Springs talks options

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● August 16, 2023

Price hikes are on the horizon for one of Winter Springs’ smelliest subjects: solid waste disposal. John Culbertson of MSW consultants analyzed the city’s upcoming garbage and recycling numbers and presented to the city Monday a dire outlook for rates.

An image of an empty lot at the S.R. 434 and Tuckawilla Road intersection.

Winter Springs mulls future of its “centerpiece”

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● August 9, 2023

The big question of what to do with Winter Springs’ “centerpiece” intersection has Commissioners now considering a slew of options after a developer approached the city, wanting to build a gas station at the southwest corner of State Road 434 and Tuskawilla Road.

A large pipe emerging from the ground is part of Winter Springs' current wastewater treatment system. A new state law could inject funding for major, local projects, such as this wastewater treatment system.

New state laws hit Oviedo and Winter Springs land, businesses

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● July 26, 2023

New state laws coming into effect this month or in the near future are hitting Oviedo and Winter Springs, possibly changing the cities’ landscapes, in some cases literally.

Winter Springs holds the line on property tax rate despite big-dollar budget items

By Isaac Benjamin Babcock ● News ● July 19, 2023

It’s a month and a half until the Sept. 11 budget showdown that will determine how Winter Springs spends its money for the next year, but the city has passed a tentative property tax rate that will remain unchanged, again.

Isaac Benjamin Babcock

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