Janelle Arthur competes on ‘American Idol’ tonight, Roane State scholarship established

Oliver Springs native Janelle Arthur will perform again tonight on “American Idol” as she competes in the Top 5.

Following tonight’s show, America’s votes will decide who goes home and who gets to return to the stage next week. The popular televised singing competition on Fox is broadcast on WTNZ, Channel 43, and it starts at 8 p.m. tonight and Thursday.

Separately, a scholarship has been established in Arthur’s name to be awarded annually to a Roane State Community College student pursuing a music degree. The scholarship will be administered by the Roane State Community College Scholarship Foundation.

The scholarship pays tribute to Janelle’s “benevolent spirit and her philosophy of giving back and paying forward.” To donate to the Janelle Arthur Music Scholarship Fund, send a check to the Roane State Community College Scholarship Foundation, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748, or call (865) 882-4507.

Tonight’s show features an all-female cast. There has not been a female winner on the show in five years.

It’s Arthur’s third try on “American Idol.”

The City of Oliver Springs has posted more information about Arthur’s performance and the voting procedures tonight on its Facebook page.