Area residents and boaters are used to seeing Coast Guard crews on patrol in local waterways, and responding to the occasional water rescue. What they do with the rest of their time remains somewhat a mystery to those outside the fenced-in Coast Guard station on Harbor Drive. When the waves are rolling in Lake Michigan, the big silver lifeboat with the crew dressed in blue and orange is not going out just to ride the waves, according to Operations Petty Officer Sean Long.

Heavy rainfall will contribute to high water levels on many rivers and streams, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said in its weekly fishing report. Shore and boat anglers will need to use caution, the DNR said. It said warm water temperatures on the inland lakes as well as the Great Lakes have anglers fishing in deeper water. SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

The newest youth ambassador for Coast Guard City USA is a California girl transplanted to Spring Lake. Elizabeth McLaughlin, 18, was announced the winner of the annual scholarship program during the Walk of History presentation in front of Grand Haven City Hall on Friday afternoon. The announcement was originally scheduled to take place prior to the Coast Guard Festival Street Dance on Tuesday night, but it was postponed along with the dance because of the stormy weather forecast for that evening.

Herrick District Library is reducing public service hours and staffing as part of a cost-savings measure. The changes will go into effect Aug. 22 at the Holland library and its North Side Branch. The changes were delayed until then because the staff said it was crucial to follow through with programs scheduled as part of its Summer Reading Club. The change in public service hours is taking place due to a loss of revenue of approximately $630,000 over the past three fiscal years, mainly due to the drop in local property values, library officials said.

The Motor City Glee, a group based on the popular TV show Glee, will provide the final entertainment act for the 2011 Coast Guard Festival. The show at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Waterfront Stadium features entertainers ages 18-24 from the Detroit area. Derek Rafferty, president of E3 Detroit, which formed the group in January, said Motor City Glee recently performed in Grand Rapids before an audience of 1,700. "It is a very entertaining show,' he said.