Building up a career [Times photo: Mike Pease] LUTZ -- After 14 years of persistence and hard work, Sharon Robelle is about to achieve another milestone.

Seclusion for sale
The Estates at River Park was designed for luxury homes set amid untouched nature. But six years after it was created, only two homes have been built there.

I-75 will add lane to ease crunch
The state needs money to ease the pileup exiting at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Tampa plans to come through.

'Tis the season
CHRISTMAS TREE SALE: Christmas trees are on sale through Sunday at the St. James United Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms. The tree lot is operated by members of the church, and proceeds will benefit church ministry programs. For information, call (813) 979-6122.

Weekly calendar

$8,000 gift makes 11-year-old girl's playground possible
The Ryan's Hope Project will bring handicapped-accessible equipment to R.E. Olds Park in Oldsmar.

Independent Day school's expansion plans draw mixed reactions
County planners and some neighbors support the plan -- with provisions. Meanwhile, other neighbors and the planning commission say it would bring too much noise and traffic.

Trees will be spared if tax officials get their way, knock on wood
The tax district is requesting that five large trees near the neighborhood entrance be spared from a median improvement project.

Warning signs mark friend's passing
Sheldon Road has gone from a quiet two-lane road to a swiftly moving highway. All that speed cost one family a cherished pet.

Local projects on DOT wish list
The state's to-do list of transportation projects includes lots of goodies for north of Tampa over the next five years.

Sprinklers clean after mishap
MEADOW POINTE -- Blamed last spring for fouling sprinkler heads at hundreds of Wesley Chapel homes, Pasco County has completed its Mr. Clean routine to the tune of $77,216.

Meeting to focus on shopping center
HIGHWOODS PRESERVE -- The developer of the Walk at Highwoods Preserve will meet with members of the nearby Richmond Place homeowners association next week to discuss possible changes to make the new shopping and restaurant center friendlier to bicyclists and pedestrians.

Builder speeds up home construction
MEADOW POINTE -- Devco Development Co. has announced an accelerated building schedule to double the size of its brisk-selling Meadow Pointe community through the construction of Meadow Pointe III and Meadow Pointe IV.