In court news, John Thomas Christiana, the man accused of arson in the fire that destroyed the Bristlecone Pine VisitorsschulmanvisitorCenter, appeared in court for sentencing.

Court spokesmen said that Judge Brian Lamb sentenced Christiana to five years formal probation and time served, which adds up to around a year in jail. Earlier this month, Christiana, acting as his own attorney, entered no contest pleas to one count of arson, one count of receiving stolen property and one count of carrying a loaded firearm.

Christiana, from San Francisco was arrested in 2008 on numerous vehicle vandalism charges stemming from incidents in the Big Pine Creek area. Officers also accused Christiana of breaking into a cabin above the trailhead. They said they found jewelry and firearms in his possession.

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