BABIES WITH BABIES: California’s teen-age pregnancy rate...

BABIES WITH BABIES: California’s teen-age pregnancy rate is rising (A3), and the birthrate among Ventura County teen-agers is going up right along with it. . . . A study found that 10.4% of all babies born in the county in 1993 had teen-age mothers. That comes to 1,271 babies born to mothers under age 19. A study last year by the county’s Task Force to Prevent Teen Pregnancy found similarly alarming rates.

PAN AM DREAMS: Oxnard boxing sensation Fernando Vargas, 17, is off to a good start at the Pan Am Games in Argentina. . . . Vargas, competing in the 139-pound category, defeated Richard Boudreault of Canada. His victory was the first for the U. S. pugilists, who are battling to best the powerhouse Cubans. . . . In 1991, on their home turf in Havana, the Cubans won 11 gold medals. . . . Fans of Vargas at the Oxnard Boys Club, where he trains, are keeping tabs on his progress.

GUN TALK: The topic’s a familiar one for Simi Valley City Councilwoman Sandi Webb, who next month will address politicians in Sacramento about concealed-weapons permits. . . . Webb, who garnered attention for admitting that she illegally packs a gun when she goes into Los Angeles, will address the Assembly’s safety committee in favor of a proposal to revise state laws governing who gets to carry concealed weapons. . . . Although Webb routinely totes a gun when she heads south of Simi Valley, she won’t bring one on her trip north. “I wouldn’t particularly feel the need,” she said.

HOME FRONT: Former Thousand Oaks High basketball stars Marion Jones and Michelle Palmisano return to Southern California for the NCAA women’s basketball Sweet 16 at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion (C9). . . . Jones, a sophomore point guard, plays for defending national champion North Carolina, while Palmisano is a reserve guard for Vanderbilt. If their teams prevail, the two could meet as opponents Saturday in the West Regional final.