NEW: All model guidance continues to show isolated gusty storms this evening.

NOW: On-and-off showers this morning. Rumbles of thunder possible.

NEXT: Peeks of afternoon sunshine. Very warm. A broken line of strong storms will arrive between 4 and 9 p.m. Windy overnight and dry.

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Alex Calamia says peeks of afternoon sun will help fuel gusty storms capable of damaging wind and hail this evening.

TODAY: Morning showers with a rumble of thunder possible. Breezy with highs approaching 70 in the afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds. Strong storms are expected between 4 and 9 p.m., but the line will be brief. 

TONIGHT: Dry but windy with gusts occasionally up to 40 mph from the northwest. Cooler with lows in the 30s. 

SUNDAY: Sunny, breezy, and chilly with highs near 50. Cold overnight with lows near 30. 

MONDAY: Mostly sunny and breezy with highs near 60. Lows in the 40s.

TUESDAY: A few clouds. Mild with highs in the 60s. Lows in the 40s. 

WED &amp; THU: Stray showers are possible. Temperatures are mild on Wednesday and warm on Thursday. Highs near 60 on Wednesday and in the upper-60s on Thursday. 

STORM WATCH: Tracking gusty thunderstorms for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Track today's severe weather with our live radar stream.&nbsp;

Track today's severe weather with our live radar stream. 

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Pope Francis was discharged on Saturday from the Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis, quipping to journalists before being driven away: "I'm still alive."

Francis, 86, was hospitalized on Wednesday at Gemelli Polyclinic after reportedly having breathing difficulties following his weekly public audience. The pontiff was treated with antibiotics administered intravenously, the Vatican said.

Before departing, Francis had an emotional moment with a Rome couple whose 5-year-old daughter died Friday night at the hospital. Serena Subania, mother of Angelica, sobbed as she pressed her head into the chest of the pope, who put a hand on the woman's head.

Francis seemed eager to linger with well-wishers. When a boy showed him his arm cast, the pope made a gesture as if to ask "Do you have a pen?" A papal aide handed Francis one, and the pope autographed the cast.

The pontiff answered in a voice that was close to a whisper when reporters peppered him with questions, indicating he did feel chest pain, a symptom that convinced his medical staff to take him to the hospital Wednesday.

Francis sat in the front seat of the white Fiat 500 car that drove him away from Gemelli Polyclinic. But instead of heading straight home, his motorcade sped right past Vatican City, according to an Associated Press photographer positioned outside the walled city-state.

The pope was apparently headed to a Rome basilica that is a favorite of his. After he was discharged from the same hospital in July 2021 following intestinal surgery, Francis stopped to offer prayers of thanksgiving at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, which is home to an icon depicting the Virgin Mary.

On Friday, Vatican officials said Francis would be at St. Peter's Square for Palm Sunday Mass to mark the start of Holy Week, which culminates on Easter, April 9.

Before departing, Francis had an emotional moment with a Rome couple whose 5-year-old daughter died Friday night at the hospital.

Pope Francis leaves hospital; 'Still alive,' he quips

Yorktown’s Woodlands Legacy Fields is reopening after a sinkhole forced it to close for three months. &nbsp;

Yorktown supervisor Tom Diana says the 30-feet-deep 10-foot-wide&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwestchester.news12.com%2Fyorktowns-woodlands-legacy-fields-set-to-reopen-after-sinkhole-forced-3-month-closure&amp;data=05%7C01%7CLauren.Pena%40AlticeUSA.com%7C60291ec178f1403cf78c08db32c12d6b%7Ccf535dc073fc41eaa17417f37ced7fe7%7C0%7C0%7C638159577498550408%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=iqUb5JC2JJN4WVWCEY1xccWpcvHXksvZmu7b4Z8BIlw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">sinkhole</a>&nbsp;was first discovered by a resident during Christmas Eve. &nbsp;

Authorities say it was caused by a gas pipeline that runs under the field. It is run by Algonquin Enbridge, who conducted repairs to the pipeline and the ground above it. &nbsp;

"It took three months, but they were very careful, very respectful to us and the safety of our citizens and our kids that will be playing up there,” said Diana. “They're actually going to do monthly site visits. We’re also going to have our parks personnel go up there on a daily basis and walk the area that was affected to make sure we have no further incidents.”&nbsp;

Yorktown supervisor Tom Diana says the 30-feet-deep 10-foot-wide sinkhole was first discovered by a resident during Christmas Eve. 

Yorktown's Woodlands Legacy Fields reopens following closure due to sinkhole  

Over a dozen young people showed off their talents at the auditions for the 15th&nbsp;annual Yonkers Idol. &nbsp;

Competitors between the age of 10 to 19 flocked to Lincoln High School to have their skills judged by members of the Parks Department. &nbsp;

"In today’s audition it's stage presentation, it's their vocals, it's their pitch, it's their tone,” said Marian Marji of the Yonkers Parks Department. &nbsp;

Participants will have rehearsals&nbsp;twice each week&nbsp;with vocal coaches leading up to a final performance where the winner will be crowned at Untermeyer Park on June 17. &nbsp;

A previous Yonkers Idol winner, 20-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwestchester.news12.com%2Fyonkers-woman-to-perform-on-american-idol-on-sunday&amp;data=05%7C01%7CLauren.Pena%40AlticeUSA.com%7Cbfc8d2fe68094bb920e108db32c3c666%7Ccf535dc073fc41eaa17417f37ced7fe7%7C0%7C0%7C638159588647446262%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=RB4fJBQ8X9NjqWLVC4Oqp0SwLXE4%2F8nyLaaT%2BaQjDgI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Amara Valerio</a>, is on the current season of American Idol. &nbsp;

MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwestchester.news12.com%2Fyonkers-resident-to-make-debut-on-american-idol-this-sunday&amp;data=05%7C01%7CLauren.Pena%40AlticeUSA.com%7Cbfc8d2fe68094bb920e108db32c3c666%7Ccf535dc073fc41eaa17417f37ced7fe7%7C0%7C0%7C638159588647446262%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=etK6l4e5oNkDDv4k1PB0Ueg%2BUXgikRwDRy0oGOlbAxo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Yonkers resident to make Hollywood debut on American Idol tonight</a>&nbsp;

Competitors between the age of 10 to 19 flocked to Lincoln High School to have their skills judged by members of the Parks Department.  

‘Yonkers Idol’ auditions begin – a stepping stone for young singers

Gov. Kathy Hochul met with education and law enforcement leaders Friday following&nbsp;dozens of swatting incidents at schools across the Hudson&nbsp;Valley.

Hochul&nbsp;said Gorton High School was one of 36 swatting calls to schools across the state on Thursday.&nbsp;Most of them were concentrated in the Hudson Valley.

In total, state police responded to more than 200 schools.&nbsp;All of this unfolded just three days after a mass shooting at a school in Nashville left three kids and three adults dead.

"We are taking every single incident very seriously," Hochul said. "We treat it as if it's real, but the reality is this is meant to disrupt and cause chaos in our school system - and indeed, society."

Hochul said that currently there are no known perpetrators behind these unsupported reports of an active shooting at different schools, and law enforcement believes the calls most likely came from overseas.

Yonkers, Pleasantville, Chappaqua and Putnam Valley were among the school districts in the Hudson Valley that received one of these calls.

"It's a little bit nerve-wracking but I guess it's the life we're living right now," said Yonkers resident Bibiana Solis.

Hochul said she and other leaders wanted to reassure parents the state is doing everything it can to keep students safe.

Gov. Hochul said that currently there are no known perpetrators behind these unsupported reports of an active shooting at different schools, and law enforcement believes the calls most likely came from overseas.

Gov. Hochul meets with education and law enforcement leaders following swatting incidents 

A suspect is in custody and a lockdown&nbsp;has been&nbsp;lifted&nbsp;in&nbsp;the Pawling Central School District.

The superintendent of schools posted a message on the district's site saying that the lockdown was prompted when an individual posted a photo with a firearm captioned "close the schools."

News 12 was told the individual in the picture appears to be a former Pawling student.

That person is&nbsp;now in custody of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. News 12 was told there was&nbsp;an&nbsp;increased police presence at the school while police were investigating.

The school is continuing as normal for now.

This comes as numerous Hudson Valley schools went on lockdown Thursday due to fake reports of shootings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The superintendent of schools posted a message on the district's site saying that the lockdown was prompted when an individual posted a photo with a firearm captioned "close the schools."

Suspect in custody, lockdown lifted at Pawling school district 

Residents at a White Plains apartment complex say they continue to be fed up with the ongoing problems with the building’s elevators.

On Thursday, one of the two elevators at the 86 DeKalb Ave. building which has been in commission for the past several months, went out for hours. This latest incident came after one of the elevators returned to commission.

Fire and police officials had to come and physically break open a locked community room in the lobby to allow residents to use the bathroom inside.

"The elevator on the left has been out since November,” said resident Thomas Harris. “One working elevator for the past six months. And now this one continues to go out because it’s being used so much."

The complex, which holds 200 units and runs 12 stories, has elderly people living on the 11th and 12th floors.

“These people have doctor’s visits and things like that that they have to go to daily,” added Harris. “And when things like this happen, they can’t leave their apartment, because they can’t get downstairs, or vice versa. When they come back from the doctor now, they are stuck here in the lobby all night."

"It's disturbing a little bit sometimes, you can find piss and feces in the building,” said fellow resident Wolford Johnson.

News 12 reached out to Winn Residential -- the management agency for the complex – but they have not returned comment.

The organization has been fielding calls about the elevator at the complex for weeks.

White Plains apartment residents still unhappy with persisting elevator problems

The Putnam County Youth Bureau announced on Friday the expansion of the county's Teen Driving Court.  

The Teen Driving Court is a diversion program, which creates a courtroom experience to educate young drivers who have recently received traffic violations.  

An agreement with Philipstown Justice Court will allow ticketed drivers the opportunity to address their behavior before a courtroom of their peers.

The expansion will allow drivers assigned specific restorative recommendations to make amends for their actions.

Putnam County Youth Bureau expands teen driving court program

The Ball Corporation announced on Friday it’s on the verge of closing its beverage packaging plant in Wallkill.  

The company notified its employees and the union it may close the plant – opened since 1972 -- for evaluation.

"Contemplating a plant closure is never easy as it impacts our people,” said Beverage Packaging North and Central America President Kathleen Pitre. “Because of our extensive plant network, we have the ability to modify existing lines to produce these unique sizes.

Ball says there are space, land, and equipment limitations that make expansion and upgrades hard. They also said other facilities could make the unique sized cans instead.

Ball Corporation possibly closing packaging plant in Wallkill after 51 years in business

A labor contract has officially been secured for 55 security officers at PepsiCo. headquarters in Purchase and Valhalla.

The contract comes following weeks of organizing and petitioning at the PepsiCo sites.  

The new contract will protect workers' wages and benefits, including employer-paid comprehensive health care.  

PepsiCo secures labor contract for 55 security personnel at its Hudson Valley headquarters

A park in Yorktown is re-opening Saturday following a three-month closure caused by a sinkhole.  

Woodlands Legacy Fields will reopen after a sinkhole at the Algonquin Enbridge gas transmission pipeline emerged on Christmas Eve.

Officials poured fill materials into the sinkhole to ensure the support for the pipeline and say they’ll be doing semi-weekly aerial patrols of the gas, monthly site visits and electrical resistance surveys to ensure that new sinkholes don't form.

A town board meeting is set for April 18 to provide an update on the pipeline’s progress.

Yorktown park re-opening after 3-month closure due to sinkhole

A kosher grocery store in South Blooming Grove that was badly damaged in a fire last week has reopened.&nbsp;

The Mintleaf kosher market on Mangin Road is now serving customers in an outdoor tent until building repairs are complete.

The market had its grand opening in January. A portion of the building was badly damaged by the fire March 23.&nbsp;

Officials at the scene said it may have been an electrical fire but no word yet on an exact cause.

Mintleaf kosher market reopens after fire 

School districts throughout the Hudson Valley are making history by adding varsity girls flag football teams to their sports lineup for the first time this season.

The Newburgh school district is one of 140 schools across eight sections in New York state to participate in the inaugural season this month.&nbsp;

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced Feb. 2 that the newly established girls teams will become a champion sport in 2024.&nbsp;

The Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets contributed funds to help start the teams statewide.&nbsp;

Newburgh’s team has 27 students from their middle and high schools.

“This is kind of an equalizer. It allows them to showcase their skills, whereas that hasn’t been the case,” said coach Liam Henderson. “I know Section 9 football has a rich, probably 100-year history of boys playing football, but now the girls get to show what they have.“

Newburgh will play 10 other inaugural girls varsity flag football teams this season – including Monroe-Woodbury, Middletown, Warwick, and Minisink in Orange County.&nbsp;

The Newburgh school district is one of 140 schools across eight sections in New York state to participate in the inaugural season this month. 

Hudson Valley schools add girls flag football to varsity sports roster for inaugural season

A New City home that Clarkstown officials say was being used as a boys school was forced to close its doors over safety and health concerns.

About two dozen students learned and lived at the home on 61 South Mountain Road. It was operating in a residential, single-family zone within Clarkstown without necessary approvals, according to officials.

"We will work with any property owner to get them into compliance, but when you have particular egregious situations where people's safety is involved, we have zero toleration for that," said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann.

A state Supreme Court judge recently granted a temporary restraining order in the town's favor against the South Mountain Road dormitories owner, Yoel Tzvi Templer, that resulted in the school temporarily closing.

That happened after Clarkstown heard neighbors concerns about an alleged loss of water pressure in the area after the home was purchased last year.

Ultimately, Hoehmann said town code enforcers were not receiving cooperation when they were looking into the property.  

Hoehmann said the town got a search warrant in order to inspect the property.  

"It's a significant health and safety concern. There's no sprinkler system, no smoke alarm, smoke detectors," Hoehmann said. "Frankly, it was a danger to the students living there."

Templer's Attorney, Lee Lefkowitz, said his client has already worked to address most of the violations and that they would respond to the town in court.

He explained the house was used as a school for boys under 18 who are considered at risk and could not get into other schools.

Clarkstown and Templer are expected back in court in April.

A state Supreme Court judge recently granted a temporary restraining order in the town's favor against the South Mountain Road dormitories owner that resulted in the school temporarily closing.

Clarkstown officials: New City home operating as boys school shut down over safety concerns

Historic preservation experts in Newburgh are concerned that an iconic 187-year-old building will not survive another year.

The president of the Newburgh Preservation Association, Thomas Dodd, is concerned serious water damage to Newburgh's Dutch Reformed Church is going to bring it down before the city can save it.

It was built in 1835 and last used in 1967.

"She's in dire straits," Dodd says and adds that he received a call a few weeks ago from a local architect who was driving by and said somebody needs to check out the west wall of the building because it looked like it was about to go.

"The water penetration is causing the stone to break, and we're seeing the beginning, beginning-middle stages of wall failure," Todd explains.

Ever since the city bought the Dutch Reformed Church in 1974, a long line of mayors, council representatives and historians have made ambitious plans to restore the church into a museum or event center.  

Orange County historian Johanna Porr showed News 12 fundraiser flyers and newspaper articles about the numerous failed attempts to renovate the building. She is worried the city could miss a big tourism opportunity.

"All of these museums are anchor institutions that can bring economic development back. I want to see hotels. I want to see shops and restaurants open up," Porr says.

A city spokesperson told News 12 via email that the city's experts have not indicated any serious concerns regarding stability of the west wall.

Before any renovations can happen, a contractor has to do asbestos removal.

The city spokesperson says the city's latest application for a state grant to help pay for that was denied and the city is seeking other funding sources.

Dodd suggests the possibility of the city selling it to a developer or nonprofit.

He and Porr say they can help a new owner find grants and other funding to cover much of the project that could end up costing in all $20 million.

The president of the Newburgh Preservation Association is concerned serious water damage to Newburgh's Dutch Reformed Church is going to bring it down before the city can save it.

'She's in dire straits.' Newburgh historians concerned 187-year-old church will not last much longer

The 15th&nbsp;annual Yonkers Idol and Yonkers Junior Idol singing competition will kick off on Saturday.&nbsp;

It will be held at&nbsp;Lincoln High School.&nbsp;

People who want to audition must be between&nbsp;the ages of 15-19 years old to qualify for Yonkers Idol or must be between the ages of 10-14 years of age to qualify for Yonkers Junior Idol.&nbsp;

The winners will hold the title for a year and win $1,000.&nbsp;

It also provides performance opportunities for various City of Yonkers ceremonies and events.

MORE: <a href="https://www.yonkersny.gov/">Additional information</a>

People who want to audition must be between the ages of 15-19 years old to qualify for Yonkers Idol or must be between the ages of 10-14 years of age to qualify for Yonkers Junior Idol. 

15th annual Yonkers Idol, Yonkers Junior Idol competition to kick off Saturday

Grieving relatives of Robert Durst first wife's Kathie - who has been missing for more than 40 years - received a major legal victory on Friday.

A federal judge has given the green light for the family of Kathie Durst to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Robert Durst and his widow Debra Charatan, who Kathie’s family has&nbsp;accused of helping&nbsp;cover&nbsp;up her murder.

MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.news12.com/the-robert-and-kathie-durst-story/">The Robert and Kathie Durst Story</a>

MORE: <a href="https://content.news12.com/DecisionandOrder.pdf">Read the lawsuit</a>

Kathie’s estate claims that Robert’s second wife, who could receive millions from his estate, helped him avoid justice for years.

Robert Durst was suspected but never charged in Kathie’s disappearance.

She was last seen in 1982 leaving the couple’s home in South Salem, but her body has never been found.

Robert Durst died last year while serving a sentence for killing his best friend, Susan Berman, in 2000.

In his ruling, the judge wrote the lawsuit filed is not untimely because of Robert Durst’s death.

He has scheduled a conference for next month.

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<a href="https://westchester.news12.com/turn-to-tara-exclusive-jill-bidens-ex-husband-alleges-affair-with-kathie-durst-before-her-disappearance"></a><a href="https://westchester.news12.com/document-robert-durst-quietly-divorced-his-missing-wife-8-years-after-her-mysterious-disappearance">Document: Robert Durst quietly divorced his missing wife 8 years after her mysterious disappearance</a>

<a href="https://westchester.news12.com/document-robert-durst-quietly-divorced-his-missing-wife-8-years-after-her-mysterious-disappearance"></a><a href="https://westchester.news12.com/brother-of-kathie-durst-says-sister-s-marriage-was-abusive-reveals-disturbing-journal-entry?fbclid=IwAR3yD-sB2cDwiowqkZttJ5H-l4aft_FtzX1KvpES4Baqgs6RWI-QTemAbsU">Brother of Kathie Durst says sister’s marriage was abusive, reveals disturbing journal entry</a>

<a href="https://westchester.news12.com/brother-of-kathie-durst-says-sister-s-marriage-was-abusive-reveals-disturbing-journal-entry?fbclid=IwAR3yD-sB2cDwiowqkZttJ5H-l4aft_FtzX1KvpES4Baqgs6RWI-QTemAbsU"></a><a href="https://westchester.news12.com/i-wouldnt-wish-this-hell-on-anyone-kathie-dursts-sister-speaks-on-camera-for-the-1st-time">'I wouldn't wish this hell on anyone.' </a>

<a href="https://westchester.news12.com/i-wouldnt-wish-this-hell-on-anyone-kathie-dursts-sister-speaks-on-camera-for-the-1st-time">Kathie Durst's sister speaks on-camera for the 1st time</a>

<a href="https://westchester.news12.com/first-on-12-real-estate-heir-convicted-killer-robert-durst-dies-at-78">First On 12: Real estate heir, convicted killer Robert Durst dies at 78</a>

A federal judge has given the green light for the family of Kathie Durst to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Robert Durst and his widow Debra Charatan, who Kathie’s family has accused of helping cover up her murder.

Judge green lights Kathie Durst's family to pursue wrongful death suit against estate of Robert Durst, his widow

A plan to build a 31-home subdivision near a backup drinking water source in Westchester County is igniting a firestorm of criticism in the town of Mount Pleasant.

The subdivision would be built on land right off of Pocantico Lake adjacent to Pocantico Lake County Park.

Zappico Development's plans are before the Mount Pleasant Planning Board, which held a public meeting Thursday night. &nbsp;

Residents say the new subdivision would reduce habitat for wildlife and destroy an old&nbsp;oak-tulip&nbsp;forest.

News 12 reached out to Zappico Development for comment but has not heard back.