First a Peeing Councilman, Now a Soybean-Smashing Councilman

Two elected officials from the southwest corner of Lehigh County are in trouble for some odd behavior.

• Teen Alburtis Councilman Kyle Avery Bower was jailed Wednesday after allegedly tearing up a soybean field by driving through it - and violating probation in the process. He's also charged with stealing political signs.
• Meanwhile, Macungie Councilman Linn Walker faces trial after allegedly peeing on his neighbor's bushes.

"I saw a steady stream of urine" that was hitting the bushes at 43 W. Chestnut St., the address of Walker's neighbor Jeremy Master, said Macungie Police Sgt. Travis Kocher of the Aug. 3 incident.

Walker's lawyer tried to have the charges dismissed without success. Neighbors say the lewd behavior has been going on for years.

"Agricultural Vandalism"

Alburtis Councilman Bower, who is 19, was committed to Lehigh County Prison Wednesday after he was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jacob E. Hammond of South Whitehall Township.

He may be asked to resign his council seat.

Bower, who will be 20 on Nov. 7, was jailed because he violated a probation agreement he commenced earlier this year. That sentence was issued in January after Bower answered charges in Lehigh and Berks counties of stalking and repeatedly committing acts to cause fear after he admitted throwing a brick through an ex-girlfriend's window in July 2011, according to court documents.

Bower was arrested Oct. 15 on complaints filed by both Pennsylvania State Police and Alburtis police on charges that include agricultural vandalism, agricultural crop destruction, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

Late Oct. 3 and early Oct. 4, court documents say Bower drove a gray Toyota Camry through soybean fields owned by David Jaindl at Smith and Ruth lanes in Lower Macungie Township, causing $595 in damage.

He also gathered political signs along the way from property belonging to Thomas Bickert at 320 Chestnut St., Alburtis, and when he ultimately got stuck on an embankment, the signs were found in the back of his car and two bottles of beer -- one half full -- were found in the car's center console, documents say.

President Stephen Hill said he will ask for Bower's resignation, according to a Morning Call report.