A team of Maine State Police investigators is back in northern Maine this week in an attempt to breathe new life into a 28-year-old murder investigation.

State police spokesman Stephen McCausland said as many as eight detectives have been in East Millinocket taking a new look at the unsolved murder of 16-year-old Joyce McLain, who was found bludgeoned to death two days after going out for a jog in August 1980.

McCausland said detectives will interview old and new witnesses, follow new leads and give old leads a fresh look.

The investigation has taken on new life after McLain's body was exhumed last week and examined by two internationally known forensic experts, Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Henry Lee. (AP)

Animal welfare advocates have been given more time to pre-sell vanity license plates that aim to benefit Maine's cash-strapped Animal Welfare Program.

Supporters originally had until Sept. 1 to collect $50,000 - or $25 each from 2,000 people who agreed to buy the plates.

But with supporters falling short of their goal by about 250, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has agreed to extend the deadline to next Wednesday.

If supporters reach their goal, state lawmakers would consider the idea next year.

A prototype of the plate shows a silhouette of a pony-tailed girl, a dog and a cat, along with the words, "rescue, raise, love, adopt."