Laurel: To a not-so-fond farewell. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ performance on the football field this season has not exactly lived up to the organization’s storied history. It’s an unfortunate reality that has prompted fans to call for heads. They blame quarterback Kenny Picket. They blame head coach Mike Tomlin.

But, more than anyone, they blamed offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Get rid of him, the fans howled. But week after lackluster week, Canada remained on the payroll.

Until Tuesday. The Steelers decided to cut their losses after a particularly grim 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The reaction was jubilant. The change was celebrated in all corners of Steelers Nation.

The question now is whether anyone really knows what the team’s next steps should be when it comes to fielding an effective offense. Only time — and the scoreboard — will tell.

Lance: To a bad example. If you ever need a reason not to get drunk and disorderly, try to remember that people tend to find out about your worst behavior.

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko could have learned that lesson sooner. He was schooled on it early Sunday when he was jailed for an incident at a Nashville bar where he was drunk, belligerent and “clearly too intoxicated to reason with.”

After the arrest, he had to post a $250 bond and was scheduled for a hearing in January.

The third-term Democrat can be applauded for the honesty of his response. Rather than fall back on the standard, noncommittal “no comment,” he did take responsibility, albeit with strings.

“I should not have allowed myself to be in a situation like this, and, unfortunately, I have to deal with the consequence,” Cherepko said. “That means having my day in court and hopefully being absolved of any charges once the facts are explained.”

Laurel: To recognition. In January, the new year started off with tragedy when Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire was killed by automatic weapon fire from fugitive Aaron Lamont Swan Jr. in the Homewood-Bruston neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Two Pittsburgh police detectives — Sean Stumpf and Mike Slatcoff — were instrumental in ending the manhunt for Swan.

On Monday, they were among officers honored by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for bravery and service. They included officers who had been shot and those who saved lives.

“The world sometimes forgets the sacrifices of those who ensure their safety,” Chief Larry Scirotto said. “You make our city safe and secure.”

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