RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ An elected official says federal officials are scrapping plans to shelter hundreds of Central American children in rural Virginia amid fierce local opposition. The elected official spoke on condition of anonymity because U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials were still delivering the news to officials in Lawrenceville, Virginia. He says he was briefed about the decision in a phone call with the health department. A health department spokesman said an announcement was expected Friday but would not elaborate. The decision came after a public meeting in Lawrenceville, where hundreds of people attended and an overwhelming number spoke out against the proposal. The Administration for Children and Families had planned to temporarily shelter the Central American children and teenagers at St. Paul’s College, which has been closed for one year.
