Top Headlines: Truck Crashes Into Home, Crest Lake Park Plans, Clearwater Beach Honored

OK, so you had a busy week. We understand. Let us catch you up on all the highlights from Clearwater Patch!

Clearwater Police say the suspect tried to flee but was stopped by multiple neighbors. A cadre of Crest Lake Park supporters asked city leaders to reopen the bathrooms at the park and were told plans for the public space’s future will be part of a March city council meeting. A hundred Pinellas County educators received a free concealed weapons course courtesy of a licensed firearms instructor on Saturday. An SUV slides over a lane to miss cross traffic, making Clearwater Police's Red Light Camera Violator of the Week. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested 30 people in Operation Intercept II. The small plane crashed into the water sometime around 2 a.m. just north of the bridge's hump. Clearwater Fire & Rescue assisted at the …

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Catch the Blues This Weekend at Coachman Park

Catch Coco Montoya, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Trampled Under Foot and other artists at the Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival- a free, two-day concert Feb. 16-17 at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater.

Top Headlines: U.S. 19 Changes, Thorntons Opens, Sea-Blues Festival Set

Did you miss something this week on Patch? We've got you covered with this rundown of the week's top stories.

1. In an effort to spur development along the changing U.S. 19 corridor, city leaders this week unanimously approved plans to guide growth along the area at a city council meeting. What do you think the future should hold for U.S. 19? 2. Thorntons, a Kentucky-based gas station and convenience store, opened its first Florida location Monday in Clearwater. The chain plans to open nearly 20 other stores in the Tampa Bay area over the next three years. 3. The two-day Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival, featuring performers including Kenny Wayne Shephard, Hamilton Loomis and Coco Montoya, takes over Coachman Park on Feb. 16 and 17. Plan to go? Find out what you need to know. 4. Who is Courtney Campbell? More than 50,000 drivers take to the scenic …

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Sea-Blues by the Numbers

Thousands of blues fans flocked to see legendary blues virtuoso Buddy Guy, Ronnie Baker Brooks and many other performers at Coachman Park for the Sea-Blues Festival Feb 18-19.

Thousands of blues fans flocked to see legendary blues virtuoso Buddy Guy, Ronnie Baker Brooks and many other performers at Coachman Park for the Sea-Blues Festival Feb 18-19. The city uses money from concerts like Wild Splash that have paid tickets to help pay for free events like Sea-Blues and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The city also sells water at these concerts to make money. There were about 672 bottles sold over the weekend, according to Joelle Castelli, city spokeswoman. Aside from the 10 different performers over the two-day event, here are some other numbers: Day 1 8,300 - attendance (estimate) 2 - ejections 1 - Marchman Act Day 2 (less than) 2,000 - Attendance (estimate, limited attendance due to unpredictable weather) 1 - …

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Photo Gallery: Thousands Get the Blues at Coachman Park

The free, two-day Sea-Blues Festival featured performances by blues legend Buddy Guy and many others.

A mostly cloudy day can be a great backdrop for the blues. And while the sun eventually came out, so did thousands of fans to see Curtis Salgado, Buddy Guy and slew of other performers who took the stage at Coachman park as part of the free-two day Sea-Blues Festival. The event also featured seafood including grouper sandwiches, crab cakes, lobster and clams. But it was the music the fans came for. Beverly McClellan, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Janiva Mangess headlined the Sunday show, which did have a smaller showing than Saturday night.  Unlike Guy, who hopped off stage and played in the crowd during his set, McClellan had security round up some fans who got to sit around as she performed some of her own tunes and covers of Janis Joplin, …

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Video: Buddy Guy Rocks Coachman Park Crowd at Sea-Blues Festival

The blues legend showed his chops to thousands at the free, two-day festival at Coachman Park Saturday.

Buddy Guy did not come to Clearwater to please himself. He came for the fans. "I came here to please you," which can be hard to do, Guy said. The blues legend showed his chops as he performed for nearly two hours for thousands of fans at the free, two-day Sea-Blues Festival at Coachman Park Saturday. The event features seafood including grouper sandwiches, crabcakes and alligator. And of course the music. The seemingly ageless 75 year old musician at one point hopped off stage and performed as he walked through the crowd. "Blues musicians don't quit," Guy said. "They drop." The concerts continue Sunday. Here is the lineup:

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Sea-Blues Festival Lineup Announced

Buddy Guy and Beverly McClellan are featured at the free event Feb. 18-19 at Coachman Park.

The Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival looks to serve up a gumbo of sound as legendary performers and fresh faces share the stage Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 at Coachman Park. Legendary bluesman Buddy Guy and Beverly McClellan, winner of The Voice, headline the myriad acts performing at this year's event. It's not just about the sounds. Snack on seafood like jumbo shrimp, crab cakes, oysters, crawfish and gumbo while listening to the free live entertainment. Here is the lineup (which could be subject to change): General admission is free, however special seats in front of the stage are available through ticketmaster.com. Call (727) 562-4811 or visit clearwaterseablues.com.

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