Ventura County Star, Calif., Technology Stock Column.

Dec. 12--THQ'S SHARES FALL, BUT WELLPOINT GAINS: Shares of videogame maker THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) in Calabasas fell 70 cents, or 4.5 percent, to $14.83 Wednesday, despite more optimistic growth predictions for the industry from CEO Brian Farrell, who spoke at a New York investors conference. Farrell said he has seen sales of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox video game system "gaining traction" in the last six weeks.

Shares of managed care provider WellPoint Health Networks (Nasdaq: WLP) in Thousand Oaks rose $1.76, or 2.55 percent, to $70.80. Prudential Securities raised its rating from "hold" to "buy" based on valuation and new cost trend data.

MID-STATE BANK WINS LOAN AWARD A 5TH TIME: Mid-State Bank & Trust was named the Tri-Counties' top producer in the U.S.

Small Business Administration's 504 loan program for the fifth consecutive year, California-Coastal Business Finance announced this week.

The Arroyo Grande-based bank, with seven branches in Ventura County, made nearly …