1)
ところ doesn't refer to "time period" in that case. It's more close to 話, i.e., 聞いたところによると just means "I heard that~".
2)
Yes for all your questions. ~たところで can be conditional as the same meaning as ~ても, though.
e.g.
後悔したところでもう遅い。=後悔してももう遅い。
Even if you regret it, it's too late. (= It's too late for regrets.)